Clippers Don’t Have Much Extra in Loss

It might be best for the Clippers to avoid overtime these days.

They are short-handed because of injuries, haven’t fared well in extra sessions recently and experienced another letdown Tuesday night in a 95-87 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at the SBC Center.

The Clippers missed a chance to win in regulation when center Chris Kaman’s left-handed shot in the lane bounced out and rolled off the rim with 1.8 seconds remaining. The Clippers were outscored, 11-3, in overtime.

The NBA’s defending champion got seven points in overtime from Michael Finley, who scored 21 and had 10 rebounds while starting in place of injured guard Manu Ginobili.

San Antonio point guard Tony Parker contributed 25 points and seven assists while directing an offense that committed only four turnovers.

Forward Tim Duncan had 27 points, 22 rebounds and atoned for one of the worst free-throw performances in his career.

The two-time most valuable player, who missed 10 of his first 11 from the line, made two free throws to tie the score, 84-84, with 12.6 seconds left in the fourth. Duncan missed a shot at the buzzer and the game continued.

“He’s an MVP,” said Clipper point guard Sam Cassell, who had 20 points and 10 rebounds. “He hit those two free throws when it counted.”

The Clippers failed to make a field goal in nine attempts after regulation play ended, contributing to their overall season-low 33.3% shooting. They had similar problems in a 112-105 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 30, though there was more to overcome against San Antonio.

Forward Corey Maggette remained in Los Angeles because of a foot injury, center Zeljko Rebraca is still sidelined after undergoing a noninvasive procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat and guard Cuttino Mobley revealed after the game he had suffered from flu-like symptoms while missing 13 of 16 shots and scoring only eight points.

Despite numerous obstacles, the Clippers held a four-point lead late in the fourth and could have closed the quarter with a victory, but Kaman’s shot missed.

“Man, I thought it was in,” said Kaman, who had 14 points and 13 rebounds. “It went in, hit the backboard, rolled around the rim and came out. It was unfortunate.

“Overtime went down and we didn’t take advantage of it. I don’t know if we were tired or what happened, but we couldn’t finish the game.”

The Clippers (14-7), who dropped to 1-2 in overtime games, have consecutive losses against the Detroit Pistons and Spurs but still lead the Pacific Division. They end a two-game trip tonight against the New Orleans Hornets, and closing with a victory in 48 minutes tops their wish list after another unsettling overtime experience.

“It’s a combination of things,” said forward Elton Brand, who had 24 points and 12 rebounds in his 15th double-double. “We’re missing Z, we’re missing Corey, we’re missing a lot of guys, and it’s also execution. You need to execute down the stretch, and we still had a chance in regulation. Kaman’s shot was in and out.

“Duncan is one for 11 from the line and he knocks them both down. It was a tough, tough one, but we had many opportunities. We let this one get away.”

A healthy Mobley might have provided the difference against the Spurs (17-4), who are 2-0 in overtime games and lead the Southwest Division.

Mobley, who said he had a cough for several days, began experiencing chills and aches Tuesday morning.

“I thought about not playing, but I’m not that type of person,” Mobley said. “But three for 16 isn’t helping. I think it would have been a better game if I was 100%.”

The Clippers committed a season-low five turnovers, backup forward-center Chris Wilcox had 11 points and seven rebounds in his most productive performance since the second game of the season and second-year point guard Shaun Livingston is expected to make his season debut tonight.

“I’m just proud of the effort we give each and every night,” Cassell said. “We’re short-handed right now, so I’m cool, but this game [tonight] is a must-win game for us.”