Clipper Loss a Near Miss

Point guard Sam Cassell’s clutch shooting has been among the highlights of the Clippers’ strong season.

Of course, no one’s perfect.

Cassell gambled again and lost this time, missing a shot late in the fourth quarter Tuesday night that helped the Dallas Mavericks hold off the Clippers, 93-91, at American Airlines Center.

With 6.9 seconds left and the Clippers trailing, 92-91, and 7-foot power forward Dirk Nowitzki guarding him, Cassell shot an airball from 22 feet and fouled Josh Howard, who came up with the ball.

Howard missed free throws, but Jerry Stackhouse grabbed a timely rebound, was fouled and connected on the second of two free throws with 1.2 seconds showing on the clock.

On the Clippers’ last chance, Shaun Livingston’s inbound pass from the sideline eluded Elton Brand in the post, a Maverick player touched the ball and time expired.

Despite limiting the formidable Mavericks to 42.9% shooting from the field and 12 points in the fourth quarter in an impressive defensive effort, the Clippers have dropped four in a row for the first time this season.

“Dallas is the best team in the West, and they’re that for a reason,” said swingman Cuttino Mobley, who scored 18 points. “We have to play 48 minutes against everybody, but especially the good teams.”

The Clippers lost their opener after the All-Star break, in part, because Cassell didn’t deliver down the stretch, and that hasn’t happened often.

“I missed a few shots today that I normally make, especially the last one in particular,” said Cassell, who had 17 points. “That’s just how the game goes.”

Things didn’t go well for the Clippers (30-22) until late in the third.

Howard, who had a game-high 23 points, scored seven points in a 13-2 run that gave the Mavericks their biggest lead, 73-58, with 5:20 to go in the quarter.

It appeared the Southwest Division leaders, who improved to 42-11, were easily headed to their 12th consecutive victory here, but the Clippers rediscovered their defense.

Behind Brand, who had 20 points and a career-high five steals, the Clippers went on a 9-0 run to get back in the game.

And although they trailed by eight, 81-73, beginning the fourth, the Clippers showed the Mavericks there was still work ahead.

“I loved how hard we played tonight, but I wasn’t quite crazy about some of our decision-making,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “We made some great defensive plays, but we gave the ball right back on turnovers.

“Defensively, when we’re set, we’re really good. The good time was when we had our defense set and our guys knew what they were supposed to be doing, and it wasn’t when we let them get into the open court. That’s who they are and they’re really good at it.”

With the tempo more to their liking in the fourth, the Clippers pulled to within 86-84 on Livingston’s runner in the lane with 7:20 left.

Then Nowitzki took charge.

The three-point shooting champion at the All-Star game displayed his other skills on offense, making a runner, a 16-foot jumper and 14-foot fadeaway shot, giving the Mavericks a 92-86 advantage at the 6:00 mark.

But Nowitzki, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds, didn’t score for the rest of the game, and the Mavericks didn’t get another field goal.

Forward Vladimir Radmanovic, who started in his second game with the Clippers, made a three-pointer to cap a 7-0 spurt, trimming the Mavericks’ lead to 92-91 and setting up Cassell, who has punctuated many Clipper victories with three-pointers and long jumpers. But not this time.

“I just shot the thing short,” the 13-year veteran said. “I wanted to drive it, but the lane was filled up, so I just tried to shoot over a 7-foot guy. He didn’t block it, it just came up short.”

As did the Clippers.

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(BEGINE TEXT OF INFOBOX)

Off the mark

The Clippers have made only 12 of 49 three-point shots in their last five games:

*--* Date Opponent, Result 3PTM--3PTA Feb. 10 Memphis, W 91-87 0-1 Feb. 12 Chicago, L 91-87 1-14 Feb. 14 Houston, L 128-97 3-10 Feb. 15 at Golden State, L 88-81 2-10 Feb. 21 at Dallas, L 93-91 6-14

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