CLIPPERS CAN'T EVEN BEAT RAPTORS\Toronto 119, Clippers 113.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

The Clippers' recent struggles have been accompanied by an asterisk, attributable to the tough competition L.A. faced in late January.

But the slump had a a fresh twist added to it Saturday.

It can now be said that you can field a team from scratch and beat the Clippers.

The Toronto Raptors proved the theory with a 119-113 overtime victory over the Clippers before 5,848 at the Sports Arena.

If the Clippers (16-29) need an affirmation about the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year, they were given an overwhelming testimonial by Raptors point guard Damon Stoudamire.

The former Arizona All-American dominated the overtime, scoring 10 of the Raptors' 19 points. He finished with a game-high 25 and six assists.

The loss nailed the Clippers with their first setback against an expansion team after three victories over the Vancouver Grizzlies. But Vancouver doesn't have a guard who can dictate play like Stoudamire, the steal of the draft.

Even another strong night from the perimeter (10 of 24 3-point shots) failed to avoid embarrassment for the Clippers.

Another bad sign was the 17-point first-half lead L.A. squandered.

The Clippers have now lost nine of their past 10 games.

The Raptors (13-32), proving their expansion status, nearly self-destructed in the overtime. Alvin Robertson was ejected and given a technical foul and Stoudamire also received a technical in the extra period.

Former UCLA star Tracy Murray scored 17 points and hit a crucial 3-pointer in the overtime. Murray, enjoying his best season in the NBA, raised a fist to his family and friends as he walked off the court.

Dehere led the Clippers with 21 points; Rodney Rogers added 20.

Early on, it appeared the Clippers would rout Toronto, taking a 33-17 lead. They picked up where they left off in Utah, hitting their first six 3-pointers. Brent Barry, Pooh Richardson and Rodney Rogers each made a pair.

The Clippers faced yet another game without center Brian Williams (strained left arch). They also were without Stanley Roberts, whose heel is sore.

Roberts was limited to nine minutes of action on Friday against Utah.

Keith Tower was given his first start of the season.

The injuries are more frustrating, because Clippers coach Bill Fitch has yet to field his entire roster for a game this season.

"You say injuries are part of the game, after awhile it becomes ridiculous" Clippers coach Bill Fitch said.

Even against the Raptors, leading scorer Loy Vaught was forced to go to the locker room during overtime with back spasms.

Notes: Injured guard Malik Sealy, out with a fractured right thumb, said he hopes to return in two weeks. . . . After three frustrating seasons in the league, Murray came to the Sports Arena averaging 13.1 points, second-best among the Raptors, and finally feeling wanted by a team. "I've regained the love for the game," Murray said. "Sitting on the bench, I lost the love for a while. I hope I found a home." Murray had plenty of family at the game (at least 12 members) who came to watch him and brother Cameron, who played in the early game for USC. Also making a return to L.A. was former Clipper Tony Massenburg, a starting forward for Toronto. "I'm happy to be in a situation where I'm playing," Massenburg said.