Clippers put on an audition

Point guard Jason Hart attended the Clippers’ game Saturday night against the Indiana Pacers.

Perhaps the Clippers were trying to impress their potential new teammate, beating the reeling Pacers, 87-64, while giving up the fewest points in franchise history in front of 17,835 at Staples Center.

The Clippers set a new mark on defense, holding the Pacers to one fewer point than the Seattle SuperSonics scored against them Nov. 18, 1990. Corey Maggette scored a game-high 20 points, Elton Brand had 17 points and 12 rebounds and Chris Kaman had 16 points.

Point guard Jamaal Tinsley (16 points) was the only Pacer in double figures. The Pacers (29-29) shot 35.7% from the field in their fifth consecutive loss, and the Clippers’ impressive effort on defense led to a bigger development in the Western Conference standings.

With the victory, the Clippers (29-30) moved into the seventh spot in the conference. That’s a surprising development for a team starting third-string point guard Daniel Ewing because of injuries, prompting the Clippers to pursue Hart, who still must clear waivers Monday.

The Clippers still have a long way to go to earn a postseason berth, but they say they’re not finished yet.

“Obviously, I’m very pleased with our defense tonight, I thought we did a great job,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “Our coverages were good all the way around. The double-teams and the rotations were excellent.

“We were fortunate enough to catch them on a back-to-back night when they were coming in from [playing] Phoenix last night. But the schedule is what it is, and I won’t take anything away from what our guys accomplished.”

Starting his second game in a row for injured Sam Cassell, Ewing finished with eight points, five steals, two assists and only two turnovers in 31 minutes.

The Clippers could get a needed boost at the position Monday if Hart clears waivers and signs with them.

Hart bought out his contract from the Sacramento Kings and was released Thursday. He would be owed the remainder of his $1.6-million contract this season, about $600,000, and the Clippers intend to compensate Hart for the amount it cost him to gain his freedom from Sacramento.

It’s a small price to pay, Clippers sources said, to acquire an experienced NBA point guard so late in the season with a playoff berth still at stake.

Despite their victory over the Pacers, the Clippers haven’t been sharp on offense without Cassell, who is out because of a groin injury. The co-captain has been sidelined because of calf, ankle, heel, abdomen and groin injuries in his 14th season, and the Clippers are unsure about Cassell’s status for the rest of the regular season.

Shaun Livingston is out for the remainder of the season because of a potentially career-ending knee injury, so Dunleavy has turned to second-year player Ewing and newcomer Will Conroy, who was recently signed from the development league and might be released if Hart joins the team.

Ewing is a point guard out of necessity, but he’s “more of a two guard,” he said. “I’ve played coming off the ball my whole life, so it’s just an adjustment for me.”

Hart, who played at Inglewood High and Syracuse, still makes his off-season home in the Southland and plays pickup games in the summer with the Clippers at the Spectrum Club in El Segundo.

He attended Saturday’s game, in part, to observe the Clippers in person in preparation for joining them, and the Clippers are eager to bring Hart aboard.

*

jason.reid@latimes.com

*

KEYS TO THE GAME

* The Pacers seemed out of it. After losing to the Phoenix Suns on Friday, the Pacers appeared physically drained and it showed in their 64-point performance.

* The Clippers seized an opportunity. They knew the Pacers were vulnerable and attacked from the outset.

* Corey Maggette was efficient. He made five of six shots from the field and converted his 10 free throws for 20 points.

--JASON REID