CLIPPERS DON'T CHARGE THE NETS THEY DROP FIFTH GAME IN A ROW AFTER LACKLUSTER EFFORT AGAINST NEW JERSEY NEW JERSEY 102, CLIPPERS 96.

Byline: Joe Stevens Staff Writer

For the second consecutive season, the Clippers and New Jersey Nets had the honor of playing a late game on Thanksgiving. But it was a far cry from last year's overtime thriller.

This time, the Nets held the lead the entire fourth quarter, and the Clippers dropped a fifth consecutive game with a 102-96 loss Thursday in front of a season-low 13,620 at Staples Center.

The slow-paced game was marked by frequent whistles. The Clippers committed 32 fouls, New Jersey 23.

In the fourth quarter, the Clippers never had a possession to tie it. The closest they came was after journeyman Doug Overton scored two consecutive baskets to pull the Clippers within 80-75 with 7:22 to play.

The final score, which might appear close, was a byproduct of the Clippers frequently fouling the Nets in the closing seconds.

``We had spurts in which we didn't do the right thing,'' Clippers guard Quentin Richardson said. ``And they're a good veteran team, and they take advantage of that.''

The Clippers shot 38.4 percent from the field and couldn't recover from scoring just 12 points in the second quarter.

In a fourth quarter void of pizzazz, the Clippers stayed within 10 points until Kenyon Martin scored on a bank shot with 2:59 left to give New Jersey a 90-80 lead.

Afterward, coach Mike Dunleavy preached defense, especially when his team put New Jersey on the free-throw line after scoring.

``They got eight `and-ones,' '' Dunleavy said. ``That's a soft defense right there.''

Corey Maggette scored 20 points, all in the second half, and Chris Wilcox had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers (4-7).

Six Clippers scored in double figures. Richardson added 17 points, and reserves Overton and Chris Kaman each scored 12.

Jason Kidd had 18 points, 10 assists and six rebounds, and Kerry Kittles scored 22 points as the Nets (7-7) won their second consecutive game.

Jason Collins (Harvard-Westlake High of Studio City) added 14 points for New Jersey, which played the second of a five-game trip.

``We've had two games on this trip that we've won,'' Nets coach Bryon Scott said. ``Now, the next three get harder, and we have to step up to the challenge.''

For the Clippers, a five-game homestand will continue with three more games, but their losing streak continues. They have Denver, San Antonio and Cleveland remaining, and only the Cavaliers have a losing record.

The Clippers never led in the second half but had a 6-0 run, all on baskets by Maggette, to tie it 52-52. By the fourth quarter, the Nets led 72-66.

Two of Maggette's points came from New Jersey frustration; both Nets coach Byron Scott and forward Kenyon Martin received technical fouls for disputing a nonfoul call.

The Clippers had a solid start, energized by Wilcox's inside presence, and led by eight points in the first quarter. But New Jersey capped a 22-2 run with an alley-oop from Kidd to Kittles to take a 43-31 lead with 2:57 left in the half.

Joe Stevens, [phone]

joe.stevens(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

The Clippers' Bobby Simmons (21) battles for a rebound with New Jersey's Jason Collins on Thursday.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer