Clippers Out of Place in Loss

Spread the offense, penetrate and locate shooters for uncontested shots.

It’s a blueprint to defeat the Clippers, whose defensive shortcomings are glaring against certain teams, the San Antonio Spurs among them Tuesday night in a 98-87 victory at Staples Center.

The Spurs stretched things and the Clippers were a step slow in rotating to shooters, giving up long-range jumpers and 10 three-point baskets in a familiar frustrating experience. Michael Finley scored 20 points off the bench, connecting on four of five three-pointers, Bruce Bowen made three three-pointers and had 16 points, and Tim Duncan provided production inside with 20 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

The Clippers also struggled against similar game plans in their previous losses to the New Orleans Hornets and Memphis Grizzlies.

Tuesday’s performance also raised concerns for the Clippers because the teams might meet in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, and All-Star point guard Tony Parker, the Spurs’ leading scorer and quickest player, didn’t play because of a bruised right shin.

The Clippers’ top players aren’t considered good one-on-one defenders, prompting Coach Mike Dunleavy to make adjustments to compensate, and some opponents don’t cooperate.

“Defensively, we got broken down off the dribble and had to help,” Dunleavy said. “They dribbled, kicked and found their shooters open for three-point looks. A couple of times, we had two guys go to one guy in our rotations. We just didn’t have good communication there, and it cost us.”

The Spurs (55-16), who have the best record in the conference, won the season series, 2-1. The Clippers (41-29) won the last meeting, 98-85, on March 7 at Staples Center as Elton Brand scored 30 points and outplayed Duncan in a matchup of All-Star power forwards.

On Tuesday, Duncan fared better.

Brand had 20 points and 10 rebounds -- his team-leading 39th double-double -- but missed 11 of 18 shots and scored only seven after halftime. The Clippers had five players in double figures (Corey Maggette had 16 points, 11 rebounds and six assists), but shot only 37.8% and missed nine of 10 three-pointers.

Leading, 48-42, at halftime, the Spurs went on a 13-0 run to take a 63-51 lead with 3 minutes 56 seconds remaining in the third quarter. San Antonio led by as many as 18 points in the fourth.

“They’re a good team,” Dunleavy said. “They move the ball well, they have good spacing and they set good screens.

“When you help [on defense], they pass. They put you further behind the play, and ultimately they’re going to get a good look. A lot of them were uncontested.”

Despite the loss, the Clippers maintained a half-game lead over Memphis in the race to be the conference’s fifth-seeded team in the playoffs.

For the first time this season, everyone on the Clipper roster was available to play.

Backup center Zeljko Rebraca, who has played in only 19 games, returned to the lineup after completing a lengthy program to build stamina, and guard Cuttino Mobley played after sitting out the previous two games because of a sprained right ankle.

Improved depth could make the difference in the postseason, players said.

“This basketball team hasn’t been at full strength for the whole year, but my guys have never given up no matter what’s happened,” said Sam Cassell, who had eight points and seven assists. “We’ve had guys in and out of the lineup, guys playing banged up, but we’ve managed to keep battling and finding a way to get it done.”

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Homestretch

A look at the playoff race in the West (* clinched playoff berth):

*--* Team W L PCT GB 1. San Antonio* 55 16 775 -- 2. Phoenix* 47 23 671 7 1/2 3. Denver 40 31 563 15 4. Dallas* 54 17 761 1 5. Clippers 41 29 586 13 1/2 6. Memphis 41 30 577 14 7. Lakers 38 34 528 17 1/2 8. Sacramento 35 36 493 20 9. Utah 33 37 471 1 1/2 10. New Orleans 32 37 464 2

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