Clippers lose control in their loss to Kings

So, that’s what a halfhearted effort looks like.

The Clippers went through the motions Sunday afternoon in the first half of a 105-100 loss to the Sacramento Kings that delivered a blow to their playoff aspirations in front of a sellout crowd of 19,060 at Staples Center.

Needing victories in their final three games to clinch a postseason berth, the Clippers squandered an opportunity to determine things for themselves, delivering an uninspired performance for the 13th sellout crowd of the season.

“I was shocked by our first-half play,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “I didn’t think we had the focus. The intensity level, I don’t know what happened there.”

The Clippers seemed to sleepwalk through the game’s first 24 minutes, and trailed by 23 points in the second quarter and 24 in the third. They repeatedly missed box-outs and bungled defensive assignments, playing as if they didn’t care about what was at stake for them against a Kings team that’s 14 games under .500 at 33-47 and in the beginning stages of a youth movement.

“It’s stunning,” said Elton Brand, not among the missing in a strong 47-minute, 29-point, 14-rebound, seven-assist performance.

“I’m trying to dive for loose balls, dive on the floor, do what I need to do to bring energy. But to have guys go out like that, not showing that fight with the playoff implications around there, I just don’t get it. Now, it’s not in our hands anymore.”

The loss dropped the Clippers (39-41) one game behind the hot Golden State Warriors (40-40) for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference.

Each team has two games remaining. If the Warriors, who have won three in a row and seven of eight, win out, the Clippers’ season is over. If the teams finished tied, the Clippers would advance because they have a better record in the Pacific Division.

After their effort Sunday, the Clippers should be on shaky ground, players said.

“This time of the year, and to be fighting for your life, you can’t explain” the Clippers’ effort, said Tim Thomas, who scored 13 points off the bench.

“There’s really no excuse for that. Whether it’s an early game, late game, whatever. We’re fighting for our lives, and to come out that way? Turning the ball over, not taking care of the ball ... there were a lot of different things. Now, we’ve got to depend on others.

“You don’t want to be in a situation where you have to, but that’s where it’s at right now. Hopefully, Dallas will play all of their guys and Golden State will get a loss. It’s hard to be in a situation where you have to depend on others, who really don’t care for you.”

The Mavericks (66-14), who face the Warriors on Tuesday at Oakland, have the NBA’s best record. After Dallas clinched home-court advantage throughout the playoffs in a victory April 9 against the Clippers, Coach Avery Johnson eased off the accelerator, giving key players time off.

But Golden State is 2-0 against Dallas this season, prompting speculation in the league that Dallas would prefer to face the Clippers in an opening-round matchup.

Moreover, sources say Warriors Coach Don Nelson isn’t on the best of terms with his former employer, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, or Johnson, his onetime assistant, who succeeded him in Dallas.

The Clippers hope that the Mavericks use their “A” lineup against the Warriors, who finish the season Wednesday at Portland.

“Of course, I hope they’re at full strength,” Dunleavy said. “But I’m not the one pulling the trigger on that.”

The Clippers play at Phoenix on Tuesday and end the season against New Orleans at Staples Center. After that, it could be vacation time.

“I just can’t explain what happened today,” Brand said. “I guess some guys want to go fishing and do other things.”

jason.reid@latimes.com