Clippers lose their edge on home court

Despite an uneven performance to start the season, the Clippers could take comfort in being undefeated on their home court.

Well, so much for that.

The Seattle SuperSonics were sharp throughout a 95-85 victory Wednesday night in front of 16,290 at Staples Center, ending the Clippers’ franchise-best start at home.

Rashard Lewis scored 35 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, and Ray Allen scored 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter as the SuperSonics handed the Clippers their first loss in seven games as the host team at Staples Center.

On Tuesday night, the Lakers on their home floor defeated the Clippers, 105-101, so the Clippers have actually lost consecutive games in the arena.

The bottom line, however, is that the Clippers’ poor play is contributing to losses on the road and in L.A., and that’s frustrating for Coach Mike Dunleavy.

“We came out in the first quarter and set the tone for the game. We were getting outworked, and that was disappointing to see,” said Dunleavy, whose team trailed, 27-18, after 12 minutes. “We made some runs a few times in the game, but we could never get it under control for ourselves.

“Whether it was points in the paint or big shots by Ray Allen or Rashard Lewis, they were able to just keep us at bay.”

The Clippers (6-4) struggled shooting from the field (41%) and free-throw line (69.2%) in suffering consecutive losses for the first time this season.

Elton Brand had 16 rebounds and six assists, but missed nine of 12 shots and scored only seven points. The SuperSonics (6-7) double- and tripled-teamed Brand, but others failed to seize scoring opportunities with the team’s franchise player surrounded.

“Right now, we’re just lacking a little bit of confidence shooting the ball ... we’re just not making shots,” Dunleavy said. “We had guys passing up a lot of good shots.”

The Clippers pulled within 75-72 on Brand’s jumper with 8 minutes 13 seconds to play in the game.

But on the SuperSonics’ next possession, Allen made a three-point shot to extend the lead to 78-72, and they took command from that point.

And now the Clippers begin their first extended trip of the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings. They are scheduled to leave Friday to start the five-day trip.

The Clippers have struggled on the road in losses to the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz, and on the Lakers’ floor.

That’s an 0-3 start for a team that aspires to do big things away from its home court this season, and that’s not the opening Dunleavy had envisioned.

“Our first two games were at two tough places to play on the road, and then we just make too many mistakes” against the Lakers, Dunleavy said. “We also lost the first two times we played at Phoenix and Utah last season.

“Obviously, though, we’ve really got to do some road damage. There’s no question about that.”

The Clippers went 10-31 on the road in each of Dunleavy’s first two seasons. Dunleavy has encouraged the Clippers to “embrace the challenge of playing on the road” in his four seasons with the team, and the Clippers set a franchise record with 20 road victories last season, finishing 20-21.

The Clippers are capable of having a better road record this season, Dunleavy said, but it’s time for them to get going.

“I expect us to be as good or better than we were last year,” Dunleavy said. “We have the talent to do it. I know that.”

jason.reid@latimes.com