Clippers back in folding pattern

Things usually end badly for the Clippers against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center, so why should this season be any different?

There were no surprises here Tuesday night in Utah’s 112-90 blowout victory over the Clippers in front of 16,852.

Breakdowns on offense and defense late in the third quarter played a big part in the Clippers dropping to 1-29 in this arena. What had been a competitive encounter of Western Conference division leaders quickly became a frustrating experience for the Clippers, whose winning streak ended at five games.

Energized by the crowd, the Jazz capitalized on the Clippers’ miscues, outscoring the visitors, 33-18, in the final period. And on a night when many Clippers players did so much so poorly, Chris Kaman stood out.

The center’s slow start continued in a three-point, three-rebound performance. Kaman -- who played only 18 minutes -- fouled out with 9:05 remaining in the game after being assessed two fouls within 12 seconds.

It was another awful experience in these parts for the Clippers, who couldn’t leave town fast enough.

“After that one stretch in the third quarter ... we just folded,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “We made mistakes, we didn’t execute, they played tougher than us, they killed us on the offensive boards ... basically every aspect of the game.”

Utah showed how it has taken an early lead in the Northwest Division while improving to an NBA-best 7-1. The Jazz, which played without injured starting forward Andrei Kirilenko, got a game-high 27 points from center Mehmet Okur, 22 from Matt Harpring off the bench and led by as many as 23.

The Jazz had 54 points in the lane compared with 34 for the Clippers, and 20 second-chance points to the Clippers’ 10. The Clippers had balanced scoring with six players in double figures (Cuttino Mobley led with 18), but L.A. went more than 10 minutes without a field goal in one stretch from late in the third quarter through late in the fourth.

The Clippers (5-2), who lead the Pacific Division, last won at the Delta Center on Jan. 22, 2003, and they’re still stuck on one.

“It was a mental thing,” Tim Thomas said. “We had the game right where we wanted it, and it was close, but we made a lot of mistakes and they took advantage.”

The Clippers went on a 7-0 spurt to take 68-63 lead with 4:14 remaining in the third. But then the Clippers seemed to forget the game plan.

They executed poorly down the stretch in the third and well into the fourth, and the Jazz used a 20-4 run to take an 83-72 lead with 10:42 to go. From that point on, the Clippers appeared listless.

“I don’t think we gave up, but we didn’t play like this was a game to determine the best record in the NBA,” said Elton Brand, who scored 16 points. “The effort just wasn’t there at times. We had stretches where we hit ‘em with a good shot, but then they hit us back. After that, we kind of folded.”

Utah failed to qualify for the playoffs last season, but the team has big plans this season, players said.

“It’s not the same Jazz team,” said second-year point guard Deron Williams, who had 16 points and seven assists. “We know how to finish games.”

jason.reid@latimes.com

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KEYS TO THE GAME

* Center Chris Kaman’s ineffectiveness. Kaman’s inability to score in the low post, poor fundamentals in rebounding and slow rotations on defense put pressure on the rest of the team.

* No spark from the bench. Sixth man Corey Maggette scored 17 points, but he missed seven of 10 shots. Backup point guard Shaun Livingston went scoreless (0 for 4 from the field) with only three assists.

* Poor free-throw shooting. The Clippers, who have not been sharp at the line to this point, missed 12 of 38 attempts.

-- JASON REID