CLIPPERS FALL SHORT; ROBINSON-LED COMEBACK FIZZLES : BOSTON 97, CLIPPERS 96.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

The way things are going for the Clippers, moral victories might have to start counting in the standings.

Otherwise, they may never get another win at this rate.

James Robinson led a virtual one-man comeback for L.A. in the fourth quarter Friday night, but his 15-foot shot in the final seconds banged off the rim and the Clippers fell to the Boston Celtics 97-96 before 7,951 at the Sports Arena.

Robinson scored eight of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, as the Clippers (11-40) made up a 10-point deficit to tie the game 96-96 on two free throws by Lorenzen Wright with 31.1 seconds left.

Boston's Antoine Walker was fouled with 16.1 seconds, and made one of two free throws to put the Celtics ahead.

After several timeouts, the Clippers inbounded the ball to Robinson, who started at the top of the key, spun around and lofted a shot from the free-throw line. Maurice Taylor rebounded the ball, but could not get a shot off before the buzzer.

With the loss, the Clippers have lost 10 of their past 11 games. Lamond Murray had 20 points for L.A., and Wright added 16 points and 17 rebounds.

The Celtics (23-27) were led by Walker's game-high 28 points and 13 rebounds. Boston rookie guard Chauncey Billups also had an impressive effort with 21 points and six rebounds.

Unlike Wednesday's loss to Washington, when he was inserted with one minute left in the third quarter, Brent Barry made an earlier debut against the Celtics, entering the contest in the first quarter.

But Barry wasn't nearly as effective, scoring only three points in 22 minutes.

As Thursday's NBA trade deadline approaches, Clippers coach Bill Fitch said other teams are making regular overtures to the Clippers regarding Barry, who becomes a free agent after the season.

The hot trade rumor Friday had Barry going to Miami in exchange for Heat center Isaac Austin. Both are free agents after the season.

According to sources, Barry has already informed the Clippers he is not interested in re-signing with them.

``From what I hear there's inquiries,'' Fitch said. ``I don't know if it's because he's a Clipper or the track record. If I were out there, I'd call.''

The Clippers' last major free agent, Brian Williams, held out most of last season as negotiations broke down and ended up with the Chicago Bulls.

``The last thing you want to happen is to lose a player and get nothing for him,'' Fitch said. ``That just doesn't happen here. It happens in other places too.''

Fitch said he believed the Clippers could still re-sign Barry after the season.

``It boils down to everybody being on the same page and I think we are,'' he said.

Notes: Prior to the Knicks getting heavily involved in the Damon Stoudamire trade derby, New York reportedly offered point guard Chris Childs to the Clippers in exchange for Pooh Richardson. . . . Clippers rookie Maurice Taylor, battling a sore knee, played Friday with a knee brace. Lamond Murray left the game in the second quarter after slapping the backboard with his right hand. He received X-rays on his right hand, which were negative, and played in the second half.