Clippers fall at the buzzer

Close. On the cusp even, as in many recent games.

But this one was, by far, the cruelest.

Jerry Stackhouse made a three-point basket at the buzzer to lift the Dallas Mavericks to a 95-94 victory over the Clippers on Saturday at Staples Center.

“Obviously, this is probably the most disappointing loss of the year,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said.

The Clippers played well against another quality opponent before faltering in the end, as close losses now seem to be piling one after the other.

As cozy as they are getting to teams in the final score, the reality is the Clippers are sinking further and further in the Western Conference.

After playing the San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic close, the Clippers blew a 90-81 lead to lose their fourth game in a row and 10th of 11 against another powerhouse, the Mavericks, who have won their last seven games.

The Mavericks played on the second leg of a back-to-back after playing in Seattle the night before. And they played without second-leading scorer Josh Howard, who left the team because of personal reasons.

But they played with composure at the end.

They climbed back in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Clippers, 24-19, capped by Jason Terry finding Stackhouse.

But it was the Clippers’ game to win, seemingly there for the taking.

With the score tied, 92-92, the Mavericks’ Brandon Bass fouled Brevin Knight with 28.1 seconds left and Knight made two free throws. The Mavericks then turned the ball over, but got it back after Tim Thomas missed a 12-foot jump shot.

Thomas, who had played well in scoring a team-high 21 points on 10-for-17 shooting, took the shot with 8.9 seconds to play and about six seconds left on the shot clock.

“It should have never come down to that last play,” Dunleavy said. “We just went too soon and we just basically didn’t realize it and took a shot.”

It may have been the type of win a season can turn on, injuries and all. The Clippers will never find out, with missed free throws down the stretch also hurting their cause.

“That’s tough when you play so well and shoot the ball well,” said Elton Brand, after watching the end of the game from the bench. “We had them. We definitely had them.”

The loss nullified the Clippers’ shooting 52.2% from the field, the first time they have made half their shots in any game this season.

Only two teams this decade had longer droughts not making at least 50% of their shots in a game, the 2004-05 New Orleans Hornets at 41 games and the 2003-04 Washington Wizards at 38 games.

Corey Maggette had 21 points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter and Cuttino Mobley had 20 points and six assists.

Chris Kaman had 13 points and nine rebounds.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 22 points for the Mavericks on eight-for-18 shooting and Terry had 20 points.

“These guys have been playing well,” Dunleavy said. “That’s why they have one of the longest winning streaks in the league.”

Maggette scored 15 points in the first half and Thomas had 10 to push the Clippers to a 51-47 halftime lead. The Clippers shot 61.8% in the half, making 21 of 34 shots, one below their season high for a half.

Nowitzki, Terry and Brandon Bass each scored 10 points in the first half for Dallas.

Earlier this week, Dunleavy said that the team cannot afford to take any moral victories in the losses. The Clippers are 1-4 on their six-game homestand, which finishes against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

Dunleavy reiterated the team still cannot afford to be satisfied after Saturday’s loss.

“We are playing well,” he said. “Unfortunately, we just missed some free throws down the stretch.”

jonathan.abrams@latimes.com