BIG GAME, BIG SETBACK CLIPPERS' LOSS PROBABLY ENDS PLAYOFF HOPES UTAH 105, CLIPPERS 92.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

It was one of the most meaningful games the Clippers have played since making the playoffs in 1997. And, well, for the rest of the season, the games will be getting less and less meaningful.

The Utah Jazz repeatedly found wide-open shots, shot an impressive 54.7 percent for the game and took control of the Western Conference playoff race with a 105-92 victory over the Clippers in front of 19,513 Saturday night at Staples Center.

The Clippers lost their 13th consecutive game to the Jazz and haven't beaten Utah since 1999.

The Clippers (37-37) fell 4 1/2 games behind the Jazz (41-32) for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The teams have a rematch in Utah on Wednesday, but the Jazz needs just five victories or five Clippers losses to clinch the final spot.

Utah led the entire second half, and the closest the Clippers got in the fourth quarter was five points. Many fans filed out in the closing minutes, when the Jazz finished a 6-0 run to lead 102-90 with 1:24 left.

Michael Olowokandi had 28 points and seven rebounds, Elton Brand had 17 points and 11 rebounds and Jeff McInnis had 13 points and eight assists to lead the Clippers.

Karl Malone had 16 points and six rebounds, and John Stockton had 16 points and 14 assists for the Jazz.

After a Malone jump shot with 9:05 left the Jazz led 87-73. The Clippers pulled to within 89-84 with 5:26 left when Earl Boykins made two free throws to complete an 11-2 run.

That was right after Stockton was whistled for his fifth personal foul, when things looked brightest for the Clippers. But Utah answered with a Stockton layup and a three-point play by Greg Ostertag to take a 94-84 lead with 4:30 left.

The Jazz took its biggest lead at 76-64 with 2:06 left in the third quarter after Malone made a jump shot in transition. The Clippers hurt themselves with five turnovers in the third quarter, which Utah converted into 11 points.

--Note: Clippers coach Alvin Gentry confirmed that Lamar Odom will have season-ending surgery to his right wrist in the next three to four days.

``Lamar is not going to play, regardless of what he says or anybody else says,'' Gentry said. ``We've got two-and-a-half weeks left in the season and he's still on crutches. It wouldn't make sense to have him come back.''

Odom has played in just 29 games this season and none since Jan. 18. Originally, he was sidelined with a sprained ligament in his right wrist, but he severely sprained his right ankle in practice Sept. 21 when he dunked and fell on a basketball.

Last season, Odom led the Clippers with 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 37.3 minutes per game. His 5.2 assists were second to McInnis' 5.9.

Regardless of Odom's abbreviated season, the organization still contends he remains and integral to the team's future. In fact, Gentry said the front line of Olowokandi, Brand and Odom can be potent when healthy.

``I really think the three would be good together, especially with the emergence of Michael,'' Gentry said.

CAPTION(S):

2 boxes

Box:

(1) WESTERN STANDINGS

(2) GAME RECAP