Clippers’ streak hits three

How’s this for a capper?

The Clippers may have cleared salary cap space for a marquee free agent . . . and improved themselves in the process.

It’s beginning to look that way, with the early returns on a pair of trade-deadline deals continuing to exceed expectations Wednesday night at Staples Center.

A Clippers team that had a playing-out-the-string feel just a week ago rallied from a nine-point third-quarter deficit to defeat the Detroit Pistons, 97-91, for its third consecutive victory.

Clippers new and old alike contributed to the team’s latest triumph. Big men Chris Kaman and Drew Gooden recorded double-doubles and forward Rasual Butler shook off his shooting woes to make several big plays in the fourth quarter. He made three three-point baskets in the final 9 1/2 minutes, the last of which gave the Clippers a 93-91 lead with 25 seconds left.

“I had to keep shooting,” said Butler, who had 16 points after making five of 17 shots, including three of 10 from behind the three-point arc. “I had good looks all night and wasn’t able to capitalize early.”

Butler then blocked a shot by Detroit guard Rodney Stuckey in the lane and made a pair of free throws after getting fouled to extend the Clippers’ advantage to four points.

Detroit guard Richard Hamilton nearly had a chance to erase the deficit when he drew a foul on Clippers guard Eric Gordon on a three-point attempt that rattled in and out. But Hamilton missed all three free throws and the Pistons lost at Staples for the first time since Nov. 3, 2002, snapping a string of six consecutive victories.

“I appreciate him missing the free throws,” joked interim Clippers Coach Kim Hughes, who said Gordon was supposed to foul Hamilton before the shot but apparently “didn’t get the memo.”

Kaman finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds and Gooden, in his second game and first start as a Clipper, had 20 points and 13 rebounds, continuing to endear himself to the home crowd.

A Clippers Nation that was initially put off by the recent trades -- How could they get so little for Marcus Camby?, fans griped on message boards -- appears to be warming to the new acquisitions.

When Gooden stepped to the free throw line in the first quarter after scoring seven early points, one fan yelled, “Come on, Drew! Stay with us! We need you!”

Gooden was especially active in the early going, helping to keep the Clippers close during a first quarter in which they shot an abysmal 28%. He scored on an array of moves and even managed to put the ball in the basket while getting knocked to the floor by Detroit center Ben Wallace.

The Clippers holdovers have meshed quickly with the newcomers. Steve Blake continued to guide the offense efficiently on a night that starting point guard Baron Davis was hindered by a stomach ailment and played only 28 minutes.

“I think our talents really work well together,” Davis said of the old and new players. “We’ve added some offensive weapons and I think Blake is a great backup point guard. We have to continue to work together and trust each other.”

Etc.

Hughes said Gooden would likely be the Clippers’ starting power forward for the foreseeable future, meaning DeAndre Jordan and Craig Smith will come off the bench.

ben.bolch@latimes.com