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Clippers suffer first loss of the season, 98-92 to Sacramento

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The Clippers can no longer be accused of only winning ugly.

They proved Sunday they can lose that way too.

They were ragged for a third consecutive game and it finally cost them, a 98-92 setback against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center representing the Clippers’ first defeat of the season.

Little has changed for the Clippers in the season’s early going.

They have led by double digits in each game, failed to sustain their pockets of solid play and ultimately headed home wondering whether they are just rounding into form or facing bigger issues.

“We’ve got to get it right sooner than later,” said Clippers guard Chris Paul, who had 16 points, 11 assists and four steals despite spraining his left foot in the first half. “This Western Conference is tough and something that’s not to be played with.”

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The Clippers missed all 12 three-pointers they took during a fourth quarter in which they were outscored, 28-18. J.J. Redick missed two shots from beyond the arc that could have given the Clippers the lead in the final 2 minutes 12 seconds, and Kings guard Darren Collison made a 17-foot jumper and two free throws in the final minute to help sink his former team.

Clippers forward Blake Griffin had 17 points but needed 20 shots to get there, making only six. Redick made four of 14 shots and has converted only four of 23 three-pointers this season.

Griffin said the missed shots didn’t bother him because they were largely open, the result of effective ball movement. Finishing the plays was another matter.

“You’re going to have games where you miss shots and shots aren’t falling,” Griffin said, “but if you’re getting open shots then you’re running your offense correctly. We’re happy with those. I think we’ll make those the next time.”

Even with star sixth man Jamal Crawford sidelined because of bruised ribs, the Clippers led by 10 points late in the third quarter. Then they started getting too cutesy for Coach Doc Rivers’ tastes, a stretch of empty possessions including a finger-roll lob on a fastbreak that resulted in a steal by the Kings.

“That four-minute stretch, to me, changed the game and hopefully that’s a great lesson for us,” Rivers said.

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The Clippers could also use a tutorial in defending Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, who had 34 points on 15-for-23 shooting to go with 17 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. Kings forward Rudy Gay was another game-long nuisance with 25 points, partly because he made 10 of 11 free throws.

Spencer Hawes scored 17 points to lead a resurgent Clippers bench that outscored its Kings counterparts, 36-18. It was like a clean spot on a dirty car.

The Clippers reserves could be without the high-scoring Crawford again Monday against Utah, the team’s fourth game in five days. Though X-rays on his ribs were negative, Crawford is listed as doubtful for the game against the Jazz.

Crawford said he sustained the injury Friday when the Lakers’ Robert Sacre hit him on his left side late in the game.

“I felt it and then [with] the adrenaline, you keep playing,” Crawford said. “After the game, I felt it and I was like, ‘Oh no, I know what this is going to be tomorrow.’”

Paul also appeared to be at less than full strength after the game, limping out of the interview room.

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“I’ll be all right,” he said.

The Clippers hope they can say the same about themselves despite their uneven start. They have 79 more games to find out.

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