Close Doesn’t Count in Record

Monday night’s 87-86 loss to the Utah Jazz continued a Clipper trend: They have lost 10 games by three points or fewer, more than any other NBA team.

Only three times have they won by three points or fewer.

“We’re doing a lot of good things, because in many cases we’re probably not the favored team in many of those situations and yet here we are, giving ourselves an opportunity to win,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said Tuesday. “We haven’t come through for varying reasons. Some of it’s been bad luck. Some of it’s been bad calls. Some of it’s been bad play. But we’ve been right there.”

As was the case Monday night, when Bobby Simmons missed a layup at the final horn and the Clippers’ road losing streak reached nine games.

“Our guys did everything but put the ball in the basket,” Dunleavy said. “It’s one of those things. If we get 100 of those opportunities, we’re probably going to make 99 of them. We didn’t last night.

“Unfortunately, it’s the story we’ve told a number of times this season. We do a lot of really good things, keep fighting, keep battling, and we just kind of come up short. There’s a lot of positives to come out of what we’re doing, but right now the playoff clock is ticking for us. Last night was a big miss for us.”

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Is this a playoff run, or a light jog?

The Clippers have lost nine of their last 11 games, the Lakers eight of 12 and the Minnesota Timberwolves 10 of 14. Only the Denver Nuggets, among the four teams within four games of the last playoff spot in the West, are surging. They have won 11 of 15 after beating the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday.

“We’ve been very fortunate,” Dunleavy said. “I would not have thought that we’d be as close as we are. We’ve been lucky that other teams have faltered. If we can just put a string together, get a good run going, we still have a shot.”

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Chris Wilcox, who in a rare appearance sparked Sunday’s comeback victory over the Hawks, picked up three fouls in four scoreless minutes Monday.... Maurice Baker was released from his 10-day contract Monday when the Clippers claimed veteran point guard Kenny Anderson.

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TONIGHT

vs. Dallas, 7:30, FSNW2

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Clippers 25-32, Mavericks 38-17.

Record vs. Mavericks -- 1-1.

Update -- This is the first of nine consecutive games for the Clippers against teams with better records than theirs. The Mavericks’ NBA-best 19-7 road record includes a 97-87 loss to the Clippers on Jan. 24 at Staples Center. Elton Brand averaged 23.5 points and 13 rebounds in two January games against the Mavericks.

Tickets -- (800) 462-2849.