Clippers can’t let go of old in loss

ORLANDO, FLA. — New ball or old ball, it’s the same story for the Clippers on the road.

The NBA finally dumped those microfiber-composite balls unpopular with players and returned to using leather balls, but the Clippers didn’t make a big change in their first game of the new year, continuing to struggle on the road Tuesday night in a 91-86 loss to the Orlando Magic in front of 17,262 at Amway Arena.

The Clippers led by 11 points late in the second quarter, shot 50.7% from the field in the game and had six players score in double figures, led by Corey Maggette with 20 points off the bench.

Again, though, the Clippers (14-17) found a way to lose away from Staples Center, dropping to 2-11 as a visiting team. The aggressive Magic (19-14) hustled to a victory that gave it a half-game lead in the Southeast Division.

The Magic outrebounded the Clippers, 38-28, scored 25 second-chance points compared with seven for the Clippers and 22 points after 19 Clippers turnovers. Orlando came out strong to start the second half, and the Clippers didn’t appear as energized while being outscored by 11 points in the third quarter.

“They got outworked,” said Coach Mike Dunleavy, whose team scored only 38 points after halftime. Orlando “came in on the offensive boards, we turned the ball over and allowed them to get an 11-point differential.... Second-chance points and turnovers just killed us.”

With Orlando leading, 89-86, rookie guard J.J. Redick committed a turnover on an in-bound play, but Tim Thomas rushed a three-pointer and shot an airball. That was it for the Clippers.

So the Clippers rang in 2007 the way they closed 2006 -- losing on the road and still searching for answers.

“We felt like we had this game under control, but when you give up that many points off turnovers and second-chance points, it is hard to beat any team,” Elton Brand said. “Our offense wasn’t flowing in the third quarter, and that really hurt us.

“They came back with a lot of energy, and they cut the lead in the third. It was a battle from there.”

Brand and Thomas got off to fast starts, which helped the Clippers dictate things to start the game.

Brand led all scorers with 13 points in the first half, Thomas had 11 and the Clippers led, 48-41, at halftime. Then the offense stalled as the Clippers struggled to pass the ball into the post and handle it on the perimeter. The turnovers and poor ball movement contributed to Brand and Thomas each scoring only two points in the second half.

“We needed to create the tempo we had in the first half,” Thomas said. “We got it going in the first half, and we didn’t in the second half. I don’t know if it was the coverages when they were doubling down on E.B., but it wasn’t the same.”

Point guard Jameer Nelson provided a second-half spark for Orlando, scoring 17 of his game-high 29 points. It was a rough night for the Clippers’ Shaun Livingston, who had 10 points and six assists, against a fellow member of the 2004 NBA draft class.

Orlando center Dwight Howard and forward Hedo Turkoglu also caused problems for the Clippers.

The NBA’s leading rebounder, Howard scored 14 points (on six for 10 shooting) and had 14 rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds. Turkoglu scored his 13 points in the second half, making long jump shots to stretch the defense.

“First and foremost, we did a great job defensively” in the third quarter, Nelson said. “When we play well defensively, it generates good offense for us.”

Magic Coach Brian Hill agreed.

“Our defense in the third quarter was really the difference,” Hill said. “We were the more physical team.”

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