THE WEEK AHEAD: 2 GAMES

Tuesday at New York, 4:30 p.m. PST -- The Clippers make their annual visit to Madison Square Garden to play the Bricks. Trouble is, these days the Knicks are in better shape than the Clippers, although that’s not saying much.

Wednesday at Detroit, 4:30 p.m. PST -- Mercifully, the battered and bruised Clippers reach the All-Star break after this one -- not that any of them will be heading to Atlanta for the actual game, mind you. Still, it will be a good chance for the Clippers to rest and recover their senses as they prepare for the stretch drive and a fight to escape last place in the Pacific Division.