Los Angeles, CA (My Sportsbook) - The Cleveland Cavaliers try to bounce back from a season-opening setback when they travel to Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Clippers.

Cleveland was non-competitive in a 94-67 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night at ARCO Arena. The Cavaliers -- playing without their starting center, their top rookie and their coach -- suffered the first of what will likely be many losses this season. Coach John Lucas and center Zydrunas Ilgauskas were serving suspensions, while guard Dajuan Wagner is on the injured list.

Reserve Center Chris Mihm also missed the game due to a hamstring injury.

"A big factor was not having our big men in there, but we'll be all right," said Darius Miles, who finished with 13 points on 6-of-22 shooting and also grabbed 10 rebounds. "I played bad, but I gave my team all I could. Things are going to be like that. It's going to be an up-and-down season. It's going to be a long season."

The Clippers have assembled a talented young core of players thanks to years of sub-.500 seasons and lottery picks. Will the 2002-03 season finally be the year that the Clippers break through and make the playoffs?

Playing in the same arena as the Los Angeles Lakers is a difficult shadow to emerge from, but the Clippers seem intent on qualifying for the NBA's postseason tournament for the first time since 1997.

The team's biggest offseason move came when GM Elgin Baylor sent Miles to Cleveland in exchange for point guard Andre Miller. Baylor feels the trade could put his club over the hump.

"Not only do we have a goal of making the playoffs, but we want to make the playoffs and advance," admitted Baylor, whose franchise hasn't finished at or above the .500 mark since the 1992-93 campaign. "If we didn't make the deal for Miller I think we were a playoff team. Now, I think we can make the playoffs and then some."

Just making the playoffs would certainly be an accomplishment for the Clippers. The Western Conference is loaded and quality teams will be left out in the cold come playoff time. Still, the Clippers have a solid group of players and a deep roster.

Elton Brand is listed as questionable for tonight's game with a knee injury.

Cleveland has won 12 of the last 17 meetings overall and six of its last nine at Los Angeles. The Cavs lead the all-time series 53-43.