Brand is serious student of film

Opponents focus on Elton Brand, often double-teaming the All-Star power forward.

So Brand goes to the movies.

Trying to gain an edge against defenses, Brand recently increased his time in film sessions with assistant coaches. It seems the extra work has helped.

Brand made 13 of 18 shots from the field and scored a game-high 32 points in Sunday’s 90-80 victory over the New York Knicks at Staples Center. In the Clippers’ three-game winning streak, Brand is shooting 33 of 48, or 68.8%.

The seven-year veteran has been more aggressive recently, shooting quickly or passing to teammates before double-teams are set.

And Coach Mike Dunleavy has called plays that make it more difficult for opponents to double-team him, Brand said.

“Teams have been playing a lot of different defenses against me,” said Brand, leading the Clippers with averages of 19.7 points and 9.0 rebounds.

“The coaches have been watching a lot of tape and we’ve been breaking it down. Now, teams are double-teaming me on the wing. My jump shot has improved, but I’ve never been double-teamed on the wing before, so that’s something new for me.

“I’m learning by watching a lot of tape with the assistant coaches. I am getting better because of it.”

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Construction is scheduled to begin in January on the team’s state-of-the-art Westside practice facility.

In addition to two full basketball courts, the two-story, 42,500-square-foot structure will also house locker rooms, offices for the basketball operations staff, a strength-training area, training room and an extensive hydrotherapy area, a Clippers spokesman said.

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