SPORTS ARENA NOT HOME SWEET HOME.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

Clippers forward Loy Vaught awoke from his afternoon nap Monday, about as confident as any player could be down 2-0 in the NBA playoffs.

``To be honest, I'm surprised,'' Vaught said. ``I didn't think they could beat us at home.''

The ease with which the Utah Jazz flicked aside L.A. in its 104-92 victory at the Sports Arena surprised a lot of the Clippers, and perhaps even some in Monday night's announced crowd of 11,747.

The Clippers were never expected to beat the Jazz in this Western Conference first-round series, but at least they would play better in the Sports Arena than Salt Lake City.

So went the conventional wisdom.

But it never happened.

``We wanted to have a better showing,'' Vaught said. ``It's going to make for a long summer.''

``Our basketball team didn't play its best,'' guard Brent Barry added. ``I think everybody on our team is frustrated in that regard.''

For every moment of disappointment, however, the Clippers also realized they had surpassed expectations, by earning the franchise's first playoff berth in four years and were only two seasons removed from a 17-65 season.

``Even though we got pushed out early, we accomplished one of our goals,'' Vaught said.

For many players, it was their first taste of the playoffs and invaluable experience for next season.

``(We got) on-the-job training,'' point guard Darrick Martin said. ``We got to see up close and personal how to win a series and how to close out a series.''

The Jazz also experienced how to close out a series for the first time. They swept their first five-game series in franchise history.

With the sweep accomplished, Utah coach Jerry Sloan made sure to throw out a few compliments to the Clippers after Monday's victory, mentioning how ``they outhustled us for most of the series.''

But hustle only goes so far.

If the Clippers hope to offer more resistance to the Jazz or any other team next season, it's obvious some major changes must be made. The team never recovered from failing to re-sign Brian Williams and counting on the always-injured Stanley Roberts at center.

When Roberts went down, as usual, the Clippers were forced to improvise and place skinny forward Lorenzen Wright in the post.

``We need to have some big people,'' Vaught said. ``We lost all our centers early. We had guys out of position.''

Acquiring a center could be a difficult task, since the Clippers are burdened with a surplus of guards who have little trade value. It was one reason L.A. was so paralyzed when making a move last season.

But even if the Clippers fail to make any significant moves, they have the renewed enthusiasm from their brief stay in the playoffs.

``I think just getting a feel for the postseason, just the whole show and being part of the NBA playoffs,'' Barry said. ``It makes you hungry to get back as quickly as possible.''