Three-Point Shooting Has That Blank Look

NEW ORLEANS — The Clippers were 0 for 6 on three-point shots in Thursday night’s 99-77 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, the second time in three games that they’ve failed to make a shot from beyond the arc.

Nearing the midpoint of their season, they have forged an 18-21 record without benefit of a consistent long-distance threat, ranking last in the NBA in three-point shots made and attempted with averages of 2.7 and 8.4. They also rank among the league’s worst in three-point accuracy at 32.5%.

Injuries that sidelined Marko Jaric and Kerry Kittles have robbed them of what they believed would be two of their best long-range shooters.

Jaric had made 40% of his three-point shots before he was sidelined last month because of a stress fracture in his right foot. Kittles made 37.8% in seven seasons with the New Jersey Nets, three times making 40% or more, but has been limited to 11 games with the Clippers because of a variety of injuries.

Before Jaric and Kittles were injured, “I thought we were fine,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said Friday. “I didn’t see it as a major deficiency.”

But with those two missing so much time, Corey Maggette has attempted more three-point shots than any other Clipper, making 27.7%.

“It does hurt, obviously, as far as setting guys up [for three-point shots],” Dunleavy said of the club’s lack of a reliable long-distance marksman. “It’s kind of like you wait and see first, ‘Does anybody have a hot hand?’ ”

The Clippers made a run at Fred Hoiberg last summer, but the NBA’s top three-point shooter opted to re-sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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TONIGHT

at New Orleans, 5 PST, Channel 5

Site -- New Orleans Arena.

Radio -- XTRA (690/1150).

Records -- Clippers 18-21, Hornets 6-32.

Record vs. Hornets -- 1-0.

Update -- Maggette was listed as questionable after sitting out Friday’s practice because of a sore left foot. The Clippers have lost eight of their last nine road games after winning four of seven in November. They’re 0-4 since their double-overtime victory over the Miami Heat, having made a combined 33.9% of their shots in their last three games. The Hornets are 4-3 after a 2-29 start that included a 100-91 overtime loss to the Clippers on Dec. 21 at Staples Center.