CLIPPERS' MISERY HITS 12 HOUSTON 102, CLIPPERS 79.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

The Clippers' anguish continued without relief Wednesday, as they ran into the playoff-hungry Houston Rockets and fell 102-79 in front of 19,469 at Staples Center for their 12th consecutive loss.

Houston led by 12 points by the end of the first quarter, 21 by halftime and never gave the Clippers a chance in leading wire-to-wire to snap its losing streak at five games. At one point, the Rockets led by 26.

About the only Clippers' push came toward the end of the third quarter, when they went on an 11-0 run to pull to 73-60 with 35 seconds left. But within a quarter, the Rockets had rebuilt their lead to 24.

``Each loss hurts in itself,'' coach Mike Dunleavy said. ``It certainly builds on you. There's no question about that.''

Elton Brand had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Corey Maggette scored 22 points for the Clippers, who shot just 35.4 percent to the Rockets' 52.6 percent.

``Every loss gets tougher,'' Brand said. ``Out team's getting depleted. Especially against a team like that, fighting for the playoffs, who had lost nine of 12 and needed a win, it's tough.''

Houston (43-35) has four games left and is in sole possession of the seventh playoff spot, two games ahead of Utah, Denver and Portland, which are all tied for the eighth playoff spot.

Jim Jackson was 8 of 12 from the field for 21 points. Steve Francis had 10 points and 11 assists.

If there are any positives to the Clippers' 12-game losing streak, one is that they are far from the franchise losing streak of 19 in a row. Another is that the team is short-handed because of injuries.

``We're undermanned, and what you got to do is play at 98 or 99 percent of your capacity of what you got in order to pull one out against some of the different talent levels you're playing against,'' Dunleavy said. ``It becomes a challenge for you. If we were healthy and doing this, then all of a sudden it would be a really bad sensation and feeling, as far as frustration and feeling down.''

The Clippers (27-52) still need one victory in their final three games to improve upon last season's 27 wins.

On the flip side, the Clippers' odds of winning the draft lottery increase with every loss.

But in reality, as the sixth-worst team, the odds are unlikely that the Clippers could get the No. 1 pick in the draft. If the season ended today, they would have a 6.4 percent chance of getting that top pick. If they lose the rest of their games and the Phoenix Suns end up with a better record, the Clippers would have a 8.9 percent chance to get the top pick as the fifth-worst team.

--Notes: Quentin Richardson, who will be a restricted free agent this offseason, remains on the injured list with back pain and will try to practice today. He has not been with team since March 27, apparently seeking medical treatment and opinions. ... Randy Livingston's 10-day contract expired Wednesday, and the Clippers did not re-sign him. ... Not counting the Clippers' home games against the Lakers, this was their third sellout.