Clippers Falling in More Ways Than One : Pro basketball: They lose, 112-108, to the Spurs, and cannot improve on previous season for first time in six years.

The Clippers ended one streak and continued another.

For five consecutive seasons their record had improved, from 12 victories in 1986-87 to 45 in 1991-92, from laughingstock to playoff team. But that run came to a halt Thursday night, when the Clippers lost to the San Antonio Spurs, 112-108, before 16,057 at HemisFair Arena.

It was the Clippers’ sixth consecutive road loss, their longest skid away from the Sports Arena since they lost seven from Jan. 10-Feb. 5, 1992. The next trip is to Portland on Tuesday on the second night of a back-to-back that opens against Phoenix.

The Clippers are 36-38 with eight games left, meaning they can do no better than 44 victories. That also means, for the sake of history, they will slide in the win column for the first time since going from 32-50 in 1985-86 to 12-70.

The climb since then had gone from the 12 victories to 17 to 21 to 30 to 31 to 45. Some of that might seem like ancient history to a team with so many new players--Ken Norman, the leader in seniority, joined in 1987-88--but it was also an ascent the Clippers used as one of their greatest sources of pride.

In getting swept by San Antonio for the second time in four years, 4-0, the Clippers trailed almost the entire way, their last lead coming at 13-12. They stayed close, but that’s it.

The Spurs were ahead, 94-89, with 4:45 to play, but a jumper by Dale Ellis, David Robinson’s rebound and long outlet baseball pass to Sean Elliott for an uncontested layup and Elliott’s steal and subsequent free throws gave them a 100-89 cushion.

With three minutes to play, that seemed sufficient. But the Clippers charged again, cutting the deficit to 105-98 on Ken Norman’s 15-footer with 1:12 left.

They made it 107-101 when Danny Manning sank a three-pointer with 1:01 to play, but the Spurs ended any comeback hopes on the ensuing possession as Avery Johnson blew past defender Lester Conner for a layup and 109-101 advantage with 41 seconds remaining.

“We can’t say we didn’t have our chances,” said Ron Harper, who had 21 points for the Clippers. “We cut their lead to four a few times, but we didn’t get the shots. They played well at home, but we had our chances, too.”

Chances, Clipper Coach Larry Brown said, that were greatly affected by the defensive presence inside of Robinson and Antoine Carr.

“We were going after a lot of shots,” said Carr, who started in place of Larry Smith, sidelined because of a bruised right hand. “Guys like Danny, if you only get to alter their shots, that helps some.”

Manning scored a game-high 31 points before fouling out with six seconds to play. He is averaging 26 points the last nine games.

Clipper Notes

The Clippers refuse to discuss contingency plans or the possibility that their Sports Arena schedule could be altered if violence breaks out after a verdict in the Rodney G. King trial, saying they don’t anticipate any problems and that to discuss the notion now might create add to problems. “There is nothing that we would have to say that would be of interest,” said Andy Roeser, the team’s executive vice president for business operations. “What if this? What if that? What if the sky is falling?” The Clippers play two home games next week--Monday against Phoenix and Friday against Golden State. Roeser said the Clippers have talked with city officials but won’t say whether the team has spoken with representatives from other sites about emergency plans, such as last spring when the Anaheim Convention Center became their home for Game 4 of the playoffs after rioting made games and practices at the Sports Arena impossible.

Contract talks between Ron Harper and the Clippers started Tuesday for the first time this season. The Clippers have until June 15 to decide whether to pick up a $4-million option on Harper for next season or let him become an unrestricted free agent.