Rebraca Cleared for Reactivation

Zeljko Rebraca, sidelined since late November after undergoing a surgical procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat, was cleared by doctors to be reactivated by the Clippers and is expected to return to the rotation next week.

“I feel I just need to feel comfortable,” the backup center said Thursday after practice. “Probably just a couple more days to work on my [conditioning]. Two months [sitting out] is a long time, with medication and everything.”

Rebraca averaged 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds during the Clippers’ 9-2 start before complaining of a racing heart during a 103-100 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 23 at Staples Center. He had surgery a week later.

While the 7-foot, 265-pound center has been sidelined, Coach Mike Dunleavy said, “You’re missing a big inside presence, bulk-wise, to play some of the bigger-bodied centers; an excellent shooting touch and [a 75%] free-throw shooter. He can block shots and take up space. He’s a smart player.”

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Shaun Livingston, averaging 6.5 points on 37.4% shooting in 14 games since sitting out the season’s first 21 games because of a stress reaction in his lower back, made seven of 14 shots and scored a season-high 16 points Wednesday.

“He’s been struggling, confidence-wise, with his shot,” Dunleavy said. “We said, ‘You’ve got to be aggressive, take the good shots.’ His shot looks so much better than it did last year -- his form and rotation on the ball are so much better. ... Hopefully, he builds on it and gains confidence from last night’s shooting.”

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Dunleavy, asked whether the Clippers’ injury glut had lowered his expectations: “Basically, your expectation is to win every night, so you’re not going to change that. After the fact, you go back and look at what happened in a game and you can analyze it and say, ‘OK, we lacked some depth here because of our injuries,’ or, ‘This matchup was a tough one because of our injuries.’ But none of it really matters because the only thing that really matters -- period -- is your record.”

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TONIGHT

vs. Dallas, 7:30, FSN West 2

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Clippers 20-15, Mavericks 29-10.

Record vs. Mavericks (2004-05) -- 2-1.

Update -- The Mavericks are one game behind defending champion San Antonio in the Southwest Division with the league’s third-best record, and their 14-6 road record is the league’s second best.