Beating Rival Doesn’t Bolster Playoff Hopes

Talk of a playoff run has pretty much subsided among the Clippers, even after Tuesday night’s spirit-lifting, 110-101 victory over the Lakers.

And for good reason.

They would have to win 14 of their last 21 games, 12 of which will be played outside Staples Center, just to avoid a 12th consecutive losing season. And even if they were able to do that, they would finish ahead of the teams directly in front of them in the Western Conference standings only if the Denver Nuggets finished no better than 9-13, the Lakers no better than 10-13 and the Minnesota Timberwolves no better than 10-12.

Which is why Coach Mike Dunleavy and scoring leader Corey Maggette described the Clippers this week as longshots. They have completed their season series against the Lakers. They have one game left against the Nuggets, March 18 at Denver, and one against the Timberwolves, March 27 at Minneapolis.

Still, Elton Brand remained hopeful, if not optimistic.

“We’re still fighting for a playoff spot,” he said after scoring 22 points and taking 15 rebounds against the Lakers. “We’re not giving up.... We have some games left, guys are starting to get healthy and we’re going to make our best push.”

Marko Jaric, sidelined since Feb. 11 because of a stress fracture in his right foot, hopes to return Sunday against the Chicago Bulls, though he has yet to practice.

Rookie Shaun Livingston, sidelined since Feb. 15 because of torn cartilage in his right shoulder, said he would continue rehabilitating for at least two more weeks before reevaluating his situation. He still could be facing season-ending surgery, but before making a decision he would like to test his shoulder in a game.

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Maggette, who took 50 shots in the Clippers’ first two games against the Lakers, took 25 in the last two and scored only one point fewer. He averaged 25.5 points on 34% shooting in the first two games, 25 points on 64% shooting in the last two. ... The Clippers, who made 51.9% of their shots against the Lakers, have made more than 50% in consecutive games for the first time since November. They’re 7-3 when they’ve made at least 50% of their shots.... The Clippers had only five turnovers Tuesday, matching a franchise low set last month in a loss at Milwaukee.