Clippers’ Lance Stephenson is still finding his place with new team

The outcome had long been decided when Lance Stephenson stood near the Clippers’ basket with his hands on his hips during a break in the game. Next came a slight shake of the head, perceptible only if you were watching closely.

Stifling his frustration has been about the only thing Stephenson has done well with his new team. He went scoreless Sunday during the Clippers’ 93-73 exhibition loss to the Toronto Raptors and has made two of 14 shots in two games.

At this point, it’s only fair to utter two phrases in Stephenson’s defense: “preseason” and “two games.”

“It’s the second preseason game and we’re just figuring each other out,” Stephenson said. “I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself and come in and try to do everything.”

Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said he expected Stephenson to be more of a playmaker than a scorer, but Stephenson didn’t exactly thrive in that department either. He collected one assist along with one turnover against the Raptors.

Stephenson was slightly better in the preseason opener against the Denver Nuggets, committing no turnovers and making two assists, including a fourth-quarter pass to Josh Smith that resulted in a dunk and a three-point play after Smith was fouled. Stephenson emphatically pumped his arm after that play, about his only highlight so far as he tries to rebound from a disastrous season with the Charlotte Hornets.

It hasn’t helped Stephenson that introductions continue to seem in order for the Clippers’ second unit. No one seems to know what anyone else intends to do. The collective numbers of the bench against the Raptors said it all: 27 points on 10-for-35 shooting to go with 18 turnovers. No one scored more than six points.

“We’re struggling right now and we’re just getting to know each other and get in a groove,” Stephenson said. “I just have to take it slow, figure out my place and we all will figure out each other and I think everything will fall in place.”

Lost in the hallway?

Wesley Johnson had a game that Lakers fans would recognize.

There was good and bad in his first start as a Clipper but little of substance. There was a slapdash pass that was stolen. Some strong defensive moments. A 4-foot jumper. A missed three-pointer. Lots of time spent on the court when it was difficult to remember he was even in the game.

Rivers said his alternating use of Johnson as a small forward and a power forward, not to mention a starter and a reserve, would make Johnson’s adjustment to his new team more difficult even though veteran Paul Pierce does not seem to be struggling with the same issues.

“Paul is better at it right now clearly because Paul knows how to play,” Rivers said. “Wes is trying to figure out how to play with us and how to play.”

Etc.

Reserve forward Luc Mbah a Moute said he would see a dentist Monday to receive an implant for the upper tooth he lost in the Clippers’ exhibition opener.

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The Clippers held their annual charity golf outing at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach on Monday and did not practice.

Follow Ben Bolch on Twitter @latbbolch

Times correspondent Melissa Rohlin contributed to this report.