Clippers one and done again

PHILADELPHIA -- Playing back-to-back games is not a strong suit for the Clippers, a team that has revealed few strong suits in any kind of game this season. Particularly those played away from home.

So it wasn’t a huge surprise Saturday night when the Clippers, not-so-fresh off an upset victory in Toronto the night before, fell flat in a 101-80 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

The defeat dropped the Pacific Division cellar dwellers to 16-32, and 7-17 in road games. Since beginning the season with wins in their first four games, the Clippers still have not been able to string together consecutive victories. That’s three solid months without a “winning streak” longer than one game.

“I was disappointed in the way we played,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said after Saturday’s game. “I thought they were tougher than we were. Defensively, they got after us and we turned the ball over. We competed much better in the second half, but the damage was done.”

Corey Maggette scored 26 points, Cuttino Mobley had 19 and Al Thornton chipped in with 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers. But Chris Kaman, the team’s second-leading scorer, had only four points on two-for-10 shooting.

“They got a lot of layups,” Mobley said of the 76ers. “As soon as we missed it, it was like four guards were hauling down our way.”

Lou Williams scored 18 points for Philadelphia, which won its third consecutive game. Former Clipper Andre Miller had 17 points and nine assists.

“Our fastbreak points stand out,” 76ers Coach Maurice Cheeks said, pointing to his team’s 29-10 advantage in that statistic. “It’s been a major factor in our wins so far.”

Samuel Dalembert scored 16 points, Andre Iguodala contributed 15 and Willie Green had 11 for the 76ers (21-30), who ended a three-game losing streak against the Clippers.

The 76ers have eclipsed the 100-point plateau in all three games of their winning streak.

“It starts with Sam on defense,” Miller said. “Sam’s defense has been great and we’ve been able to get the ball and run.”

Philadelphia’s guards put pressure on the Clippers by constantly driving to the basket and finding open shots.

“It’s a style we all like to play,” Williams said. “I think we’re having success with this style.”

Philadelphia shot 52.6% from the field, and its bench players outscored the Clippers’ reserves, 33-7. The 76ers shot 60% from the field in the first half while cruising to a 59-40 lead.