Cassell doesn’t shy away from making his points

Point guard Sam Cassell has returned to the lineup and the Clippers might have their swagger back too.

The Clippers, who struggled on offense while Cassell was sidelined because of a heel injury, were aggressive in the last two games of a 10-day trip.

Cassell scored a game-high 31 points off the bench in Monday’s victory over the New Orleans Hornets. He returned to the starting lineup Wednesday and had 18 points and five assists as the Clippers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves and finished 3-3 on the trip.

Don’t write off the Clippers yet, Cassell said.

“When we play with aggression and passion, like we played the past two games, that’s why we won,” Cassell said. “It’s like I tell our guys, ‘I’m not the savior.’ I’m a guy who’s going to make it easier for everyone. I’m going to do my part so we can be successful, but it takes more than me.”

The team’s vocal leader, Cassell helped to inspire the Clippers in their last two victories, encouraging and admonishing teammates on the court.

That’s a big part of his job, Cassell said.

“By me being out there and being vocal, I think that sometimes gets us over the hump,” he said. “I’m not going to allow our guys to settle for anything. If we have a point-blank shot we’re supposed to make then we have to make it. If you don’t make it, I’m going to say something to you, and vice versa.

“If I have a five-footer, I’m supposed to make that. That’s how it is. We have to get back to the way it was last year when everyone was accountable for what they’re supposed to do to make us successful.

“We got away from that. We’re getting healthy now, and I have to

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Shaun Livingston struggled in the final three games of the trip, missing 24 of 30 field-goal attempts.

In 36 games, Livingston is shooting 45.1% from the field. He’s averaging 9.8 points, a team-leading 5.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds.

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