Clippers aren’t tough enough

This could be the beginning of the end for the Clippers, or did that occur months ago?

It seems they have been fighting to delay the inevitable all season, and now their path is rougher with time running out after a third consecutive loss, 98-80, Sunday afternoon to the Detroit Pistons in front of 18,397 at Staples Center.

Even without forward Rasheed Wallace, who served a one-game suspension for receiving his 16th technical foul of the season in Detroit’s previous game, the Pistons controlled the tempo, completed a sweep of the two-game season series and extended their winning streak to eight games over the Clippers.

The Clippers appeared befuddled while trying to contain Detroit’s starting backcourt of Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton.

Billups had 17 points, 12 assists, six rebounds, four steals and made a 34-foot shot to beat the halftime buzzer. Hamilton scored a game-high 23 points on 10-for-12 shooting (he went eight for eight in the first half) for the team with the Eastern Conference’s best record.

In a familiar scene at Clippers games this season, fans began leaving Staples in the third quarter, and Coach Mike Dunleavy was gone with 9 minutes 8 seconds left when he was ejected after picking up two quick technical fouls for arguing.

“I’m really disappointed in our toughness right now, mental and physical,” Dunleavy said. “Guys have got to go battle. You can have all the schemes you want, all the great ideas you want, but it comes down to physical toughness.”

The Clippers committed 20 turnovers that led to 30 points for the Pistons, failed to capitalize on offense inside despite the absence of Wallace and now face a tough road to earn a playoff berth. Literally.

With 20 games remaining, the Clippers (29-33) today begin a six-game, 10-day trip that will determine whether they qualify for the Western Conference playoffs, players said. The Clippers, who have dropped four of five, are still in the eighth and final playoff spot, but they’re only 8-21 as a visiting team.

The clock is ticking loudly for the Clippers, who could be facing a make-or-break stretch this week.

“Definitely ... make-or-break time,” said Tim Thomas, who scored 16 points off the bench. “We’ve got to go and be successful on this trip. We definitely have to be ... we can’t come out of this trip even.

“The standings are very tight. We have to dictate our own situation. We have to win games on the road, so this trip is huge for us.”

The Clippers weren’t sharp in their tune-up game.

The Pistons (39-22) shredded the Clippers’ defensive plan, shooting 54.2% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range.

Detroit center Chris Webber had 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Forward Antonio McDyess contributed 17 points off the bench.

“Offensively, we really executed,” Pistons Coach Flip Saunders said. “Sometimes, we just play basketball, and today we really executed.”

The Clippers didn’t execute well.

With Wallace out, the Clippers wanted to take command inside behind Elton Brand and Chris Kaman.

The Pistons double-teamed Brand, who missed eight of 12 shots and scored 11 points with 12 rebounds. Kaman’s season-long slump continued in a six-point, seven-rebound, five-turnover performance in 25 minutes. Corey Maggette led the Clippers with 19 points.

“It is make-or-break time, that’s the way we have to look at it, because we can’t look at what other teams are doing,” Brand said. “Other teams keep losing, so we keep the spot, but we have to take it upon ourselves to win some games.”

jason.reid@latimes.com