CLIPPERS CAN'T GET BY SPURS EVEN WITHOUT PARKER, S.A. DOMINATES SAN ANTO. 98, CLIPPERS 87.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

The Clippers seemed to have so much working for them against the Spurs. Not only was San Antonio All-Star guard Tony Parker out for the first time this season, but the Clippers had played the reigning champs well and were trying to join Detroit as the only teams to win their season series against them.

But reality hit harshly. The Clippers couldn't stop San Antonio's slick ball movement and lost 98-87 Tuesday night at Staples Center.

The Spurs put on a clinic in the name of team basketball. They converted 36 field goals on 32 assists, even though their leader in scoring and assists was out.

``We were dead,'' Clippers guard Cuttino Mobley said. ``It seemed to me that we felt dead. We were down 11 or 12, and it felt like we were down 20-something. I don't know what the whole thing was. Maybe it was because it was a rainy day.''

Rain was about the only thing the Clippers saw drop. Mobley went 0 of 6 from the field for zero points in 17 minutes. His performance underscored the fact that the Clippers missed open shots, while the Spurs didn't, as they made 10 3-pointers to the Clippers' one.

Mobley and Sam Cassell are the only key Clippers with significant playoff history, and Mobley said his team needs to understand the importance of the final games before the playoffs.

``Right now, it's a practice, when you know you're in,'' Mobley said. ``We're not trying to say we know we made it, but you have to go hard every single time because the playoffs are an opportunity that this franchise hasn't had in a really long time.''

The Clippers fell behind by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter. The closest they got in the quarter was to trail by nine points just 30 seconds into the final period.

``It tells us that we're still a ways away,'' coach Mike Dunleavy said. ``It's not like if we play them again, we're going to be overconfident. We got to be more efficient. They don't let you get away with mistakes. If you don't play an efficient game, they'll make you pay the price.''

Elton Brand finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, but shot 7 of 18. Corey Maggette added 16 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

``I saw the double-teams early,'' Brand said. ``I tried to kick it out, and I have a lot of confidence in my teammates. But we didn't make shots, including myself.''

Tim Duncan had 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Spurs, who have lost more than once to just two teams this season - Detroit and Denver.

With the loss, the Clippers' magic number to clinch a playoff spot for the first time in nine years stayed at five.

That is merely the mathematical scenario. Barring one of the worst collapses in NBA history, the Clippers will be in the playoffs. Until they clinch, though, their plan is to try to bring their best game each night.

``Once we clinch a playoff spot, then we'll look at it according to 'OK, this is what we have to do to be best prepared for the playoffs,' '' Dunleavy said. ``If that means getting guys more minutes than they deserve at some point in time, we may do that, just to get their rhythm or conditioning or timing or whatever we need.''

--Notes: Mobley (sprained right ankle) and Zeljko Rebraca (strained left hamstring) were both activated Tuesday.

Joe Stevens, [phone]

joe.stevens(at)presstelegram.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) The Spurs' Tim Duncan tries to keep the ball from the Clippers' Corey Maggette, right.

(2) The Clippers' Elton Brand, left, battles San Antonio's Manu Ginobili for a loose ball in the first quarter.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

Box:

RACE IN WEST