CLIPPERS CAN'T HIDE FRUSTRATION AS PISTONS WIN : DETROIT 91, CLIPPERS 85.

Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer

Things have gotten to a point where even two of the friendliest Clippers are bickering.

Brent Barry and Darrick Martin, who were seen hanging out just last week at the UCLA-Oregon State basketball game, were jawing at each other Saturday night after original Detroit Pistons Bad Boy Joe Dumars burned the Clippers for two 3-pointers in Detroit's 91-85 win. A sellout crowd of 16,021 at the Sports Arena watched as the Clippers lost their fourth straight game.

Barry and Martin weren't the only ones frustrated. The Clippers' Loy Vaught began the game like the reigning NBA Player of the Week but ended it like the timid shooter he was three months ago.

The question is whether it can be attributed to the Pistons defense, which held the Clippers to 15-of-43 shooting (34.8 percent) in the second half, or self-doubt, which is creeping back after another close loss.

Maybe the old Clippers would be satisfied with a close loss to the NBA's fourth-best team, but L.A. was perturbed that once again it wasn't able to finish down the stretch.

``We're going to see what kind of heart this team has,'' Barry said. ``We're at a point where we need to improve. Losing is losing.''

Barry and Martin got into an on-court exchange after a timeout when coach Bill Fitch chastised both for not covering Dumars. Aaron McKie posted up the smaller Martin and Barry left Dumars open to help.

Barry and Martin walked on the court after the timeout and were still discussing the play. Barry finally told Martin to ``stay out of my face.'' Martin turned around and scoffed in anger.

``We were just trying to get things straight so their eight-point lead didn't turn into 12,'' Barry said. ``We had to get together the switching patterns so it wouldn't happen again. It was a discussion.''

The frustration is mounting because the club is beginning to feel heat from the Phoenix Suns, who are now three games back of the Clippers for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Said Martin: ``We have to be careful and not let these losses avalanche into something it doesn't have to be.''

Fitch wanted to win at least one of these past three games against playoff teams but ended up with just pats on the back from opposing coaches.

Detroit coach Doug Collins gave his compliments.

``The Clipper team is a good team,'' Collins said. ``This is not the same team as the past. Bill has these guys headed in the right direction.''

In none of the three games were the Clippers able to hit key shots down the stretch.

They turned to Vaught, who had only nine of his 23 points in the second half, and Rodney Rogers couldn't bring the team back with inside buckets every time.

Meanwhile, the Pistons leaned on Grant Hill, who had a mediocre game (19 points) but did hit two key baskets, and Dumars, who scored 10 of his game-high 23 in the final stanza.

The Clippers shot 25 percent in the third quarter but were still tied at 66-66 with 9:44 left. That's when Dumars went off and the Clippers had no answer.

``They made some adjustments on me in the second half and I couldn't get anything going,'' said Vaught, who was just 3 of 13 from the field in the second half. ``I feel responsible for the loss. The past four games have been tough.''

With the close losses mounting and Phoenix becoming more of a factor, Fitch was angered by a fan who suggested before the game he ``crack the whip'' on the guys to perform better down the stretch. He also suggested Fitch stop worrying about Phoenix and be more concerned with catching Sacramento.

``They're about the hardest-working bunch of guys in the NBA,'' Fitch said, among other things. ``We're doing the best we can. What more do you want us to do?''

Layups: Charles Outlaw received six stitches from a laceration on his head suffered during the Orlando game. He started the game on Saturday . . . Pooh Richardson registered his third consecutive DNP-coach's decision. His has played no more than 19 minutes in a game since his criticism of Fitch to the Daily News on Feb. 11.