Baron Davis expects a tough task with the Clippers

This buildup to the Clippers' season opener has hardly been of the red-carpet variety because of Davis' sprained left ring finger casting a shadow over the preseason and raising questions about his availability.

Davis said in a wide-ranging interview Tuesday after practice that he thought he could work through the pain tonight against the Lakers, saying he could "be good at [playing] 30 minutes now."

Finally, Davis was able to take part in a full session after injuring his finger Oct. 17, when he broke his fall in practice.

"I want to be smart about it and give my finger enough time to heal, but at the same time, I've practiced the last couple of days," Davis said. "I just want to go out there and see how it feels. Just being able to tolerate pain, that's about it."

Coach Mike Dunleavy said he expected Davis and forward Tim Thomas to be ready to play tonight and considered Marcus Camby (bruised right heel) "very doubtful."

Davis' low-key approach in October has been by design. Davis opted out of the final year of his contract with the Golden State Warriors in July to sign a $65-million, five-year deal with the Clippers.

On Monday, he had spoken about once being uncomfortable on the red carpet, years ago, not feeling as though he had done anything to deserve star treatment. Davis, though on a different level, was taking a similar measured approach in his return home to the Los Angeles area.

"I want to get to the season and see what I've got to offer," Davis said. "From that point, then let the city get a glimpse of what we have in store. There's a certain way to do it. I want to do the work first before I take credit for anything.

"I haven't done anything but just come to the Clippers. First we want to make this team an exciting team to watch and a team that has an attitude of playing hard and giving your all every night. That's what we have to establish first."

That won't be easy by any measure. On the defensive end, the Clippers will greatly miss the looming presence of Camby, who could sit out the first several games.

Injuries have been an all-too-common theme with the Clippers. They won 23 games last season after finishing 40-42 in 2006-07.