March comes in like a lion, stays that way for the Clippers The question wasn't completed before Chris Paul gave his one-word description of the Clippers' March schedule, in which they will play 20 games in 31 days. "Beast," Paul said, smiling. And when was the last time Paul played a beast of a schedule like this? "Probably AAU basketball, many moons ago," said Paul, referring to the high school summer basketball circuit. The Clippers begin the second half of the NBA season with a 20-11 record, third-best in the Western Conference and tops in the Pacific Division, 1 1/2 games ahead of the Lakers. The Clippers play Tuesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center. Then comes the brutal schedule in March, the month that can either leave the Clippers weary or still on top of their division. They have a six-game trip, including a pair of back-to-backs. Then after a spell of home games, they hit the road again. That trip includes their last set of back-to-back-to-back games - at Indiana, Oklahoma City and New Orleans. All in all, the Clippers play six sets of back-to-back games next month and they play five games in a week twice. They play nine games on the road in March. "That's crazy," was Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro's description of the gantlet. This flurry is because the NBA locked out its players and did not start the regular season until Christmas Day. Instead, the NBA season became a condensed, 66-game season played over 123 days. That's why the Clippers get a month like March. And how do they prepare for that? "You don't," Paul said. I mean, the best thing that you can do is take great care of your body, and that's what I'm trying to do. And that's why I keep saying this Clippers organization is unbelievable in the resources that we have and our training staff, making sure that you are prepared for the game. So, not only do you have to try to prepare physically, but mentally also. So, there is a first time for everything. It's a beast. It's another page of that book that I'll write years and years from now. Del Negro said this season is a "sprint," adding that's why having a deep roster is "so important." Even with Chauncey Billups going out for the season because of a torn left Achilles' tendon, the Clippers have been able to plug in other players. And Monday, they signed veteran swingman Bobby Simmons to a 10-day contract to add depth. Simmons, 31, who played two previous seasons with the Clippers (2003-05), had been playing in the Development League for the Reno Bighorns, where he averaged 13.5 points and 7.6 rebounds in 21 games. Del Negro has eight players who are averaging at least 15 minutes per game. All-Stars Blake Griffin (36.8 minutes) and Paul (36.2) lead the Clippers in minutes played. In some recent games, Del Negro has tried to reduce Paul's minutes by playing second-year point guard Eric Bledsoe. "Coach told us today that March is going to be a challenge, so everyone has to be ready," Randy Foye said after practice Monday. We can't put everything on Blake. We can't put everything on Chris. Everyone is going to have to contribute every single night out there. Health will be a key for the Clippers next month - and for the rest of the season. Power forward Kenyon Martin missed the fourth quarter of Wednesday night's game against Denver because of a rib injury. But the Clippers said Martin is fine. Center DeAndre Jordan has a sore shoulder; Griffin iced his left elbow after a fall against the Nuggets, and Paul has to monitor his left knee. "You have these things and you have to manage it," Del Negro said. Everyone has these issues. The problem is, everyone in the West is so bunched up. You just do the best you can. When Paul saw the schedule for March, he knew it would present the Clippers with a big challenge. Even back in December, you look at the schedule and you're like, 'We got 20 games in 31 days. Maybe they'll change that by the time we get there.' Other teams have done it already," Paul said. I guess March is our time.