CLIPPERS UNRAVEL : SHOTS WON'T DROP AT HOME.

Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer

A homecoming couldn't have gone any worse. And unfortunately for the Clippers, there's eight more.

The momentum gained on 3-2 road trip was wasted as the Indiana Pacers, a sub-.500 team themselves, sent the Clippers reeling Wednesday with a 108-93 win at the Sports Arena.

In the worst Clippers' effort in nearly two months, they shot 37 percent and looked awful in their first of nine home games in the next month. A crowd of 7,233 was treated to nothing but bad offense and lousy defense.

The bench, those supposedly dependable guys, combined for 12 of 43 shooting.

Darrick Martin led the Clippers with 15 points in just 20 minutes. But even he couldn't help, allowing Pacers guard Travis Best to score 18 points.

Every time the Clippers had an opportunity to climb back in the game, they would miss a shot or make a turnover. If the game proved anything, it proved the Clippers can't be trusted to play consistently on any night.

The Pacers broke the game open with a 15-5 run to start the third period, giving them a 75-60 lead. The Clippers missed 13 of their first 15 shots of the quarter. Things would get worse.

The Pacers upped the lead to 81-66 on back-to-back 3-pointers. After a Rik Smits dunk, Best completed a three-point play and then hit a technical free throw for a 87-66 lead to complete a 12-0 run.

Reggie Miller's 25 points was another sign of the Clippers' poor defensive effort. Focused on containing him, Miller scored 15 points in the first half (on 5 of 11 shooting) as the Pacers led, 60-55.

In the end, the Clippers had their third straight loss and more self doubt.

As a result, Clippers coach Bill Fitch continues to tinker with his rotation. He has been impressed with the progress of Brent Barry, who has played at least 14 minutes in the last eight games and has shot 22-for-39 (56 percent) after shooting sub-40 percent in his first 12 games.

``There's a time when a show has to go on the road before it reaches Broadway,'' Fitch said. ``I think Barry is ready to go Broadway.''

And that statement has nothing to do with Barry's role in the new movie ``Jerry Maguire.''

The show might be grounded as Barry refuted Fitch's statement with no points in 20 minutes.

Not everybody's happy around Clipperland. Forward Lamond Murray is becoming increasingly miffed with his playing time - he's totaled 27 minutes in the past five games, including his second DNP-coaches decision of the season in Toronto.

``I can only be ready and offer my services when I can,'' Murray said. ``Hopefully one day I can get to play in a game.''

Murray started the season with a definite role, as the primary backup to Rodney Rogers. In the first 19 games Murray averaged 23 minutes and 8.4 points per game.

Then came New York.

Murray had his best game of the season in the Big Apple, scoring 18 points in 33 minutes, as the Clippers came back from an 18-point deficit before losing 89-80. But Fitch pointed out afterward that he allowed New York guard Chris Childs to drive to the hoop for an uncontested layup in the final two minutes.

Since then, Murray's averages have declined. He's logged 12.7 minutes with a 5.0 point average in 14 games with two DNP's mixed in.

``What can you do?,'' Murray asked. ``I think I'm one of the best players on this team, and I think I deserve to play more.''

Murray was careful with his words. He was fined by the Clippers last season for conduct detrimental to the team after voicing his displeasure in a newspaper article about his playing time.

Murray did nothing to help his case on Wednesday with no points in 26 minutes - his most playing time since Dec. 7 at New York.

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Photo, Box

Photo: (color) Clippers' Loy Vaught finds the space tight trying to hop around Indiana's Dale Davis on his way to the hoop.

Phil McCarten / Daily News

Box: CLIPPERS BOX