By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Los Angeles Clippers (27-14) used a 30 point performance by Blake Griffin and a double-double (26 points/10 rebounds) from Matt Barnes plus the absence of Kings center DeMarcus Cousins to defeat Sacramento (16-24) 117-108 on Saturday night.

Both teams were playing the second game of a back-to-back schedule. Both teams lost their games on Friday night.

The Kings were playing short-handed with Cousins (ankle), Carl Landry (wrist) and Ramon Sessions (back) out due to injury. Sacramento also thought they would be without Rudy Gay for the second consecutive game except with less than three minutes to play in the first quarter Gay entered the floor. We learned after the game even his teammates were surprised to see Gay on the court.

The major difference in the contest was the way each team took care of the basketball. The Kings committed 18 turnovers that allowed the Clippers to score 16 points. Los Angeles turned the ball over just five times (six points). Turnovers and a lack of second half defense is why Kings lost the game.

The Breakdown

The Kings and Clippers played to a 28-28 tie in the first quarter. Sacramento was up by as many as eight points due to their scoring in the paint and Jason Thompson’s 11 points. Los Angeles rode the hot hand of Matt Barnes who scored nine points in the quarter to keep the Clippers even with the Kings.

The teams played even in the second quarter as well. They were tied five times in the period. Again, it was Matt Barnes leading the way for the Clippers with 11 points including three 3-Pointers. Rudy Gay made his presence known dropping in 12 points for the Kings. Each team scored 24 in the quarter.

The game was tied 52-52 at the half.

The Clippers were able to create a little separation in the third quarter. Los Angeles used a 9-0 run late in the quarter begin pulling away. Blake Griffin put up 13 for the Clippers while Kings reserve center Reggie Evans scored eight points. Los Angeles led Sacramento 83-78.

Any thoughts of the Clippers pulling away for an easy win were erased quickly by the Kings. Sacramento used 16 rebounds and eight second chance points to stay competitive in the final period. The Kings even went to a “hack-a-Jordan” plan to put poor free throw shooting DeAndre Jordan at the charity stripe. Ultimately that plan failed. The Clippers outscored the Kings 34-30 in the quarter to preserve the win.

The Clippers won the game 117-108.

By the Numbers

Blake Griffin’s 30 points lead all scorers in the game. JJ Redick put up 18 points while Chris Paul had a quiet 12 point night to go with nine assists.

The Clippers shot 47.8 percent (44 for 92) from the field. They were nine for 28 (32.1 percent) for 3-Pointers. Los Angeles was a terrible 20 for 31 (64.5 percent) from the free throw line. They were outrebounded by Kings 54-34.

Jason Thompson’s 23 points and 22 rebounds led the Kings attack. Rudy Gay added 22 points off the bench. Darren Collison added 17 points, Ben McLemore 14 and Derrick Williams 13.

The Kings were 41 for 89 (46.1 percent) from the floor and five for 18 from beyond the 3-Point arc. They were 21 for 26 (80.8 percent) from the charity stripe. Sacramento scored 25 second chance points.

In Their Own Words

On Rudy Gay playing in the game Kings Head Coach Tyrone Corbin said, “It was a game time decision. I was happy to see him get himself ready to go and be able to come into the game. I thought he played a great game. He gave us huge lift when he came into the game.”

Corbin was also pleased with Jason Thompson’s play, “Huge game. I thought he did a great job on defense fighting Blake (Griffin) most of the night … His offense – he set some screens and flat out hit a couple of shots. He shot it with a lot of confidence … It was a great overall game for him.”

Darren Collison was pleased with his team’s effort, “If we just come playing hard, we can be happy with that. Regardless of the score it – just come out and play hard. There were some games that we didn’t come out and play hard and that was bothering (me). I was glad we came out with this effort.

Game Notes

• The Kings finished the six game homestand with a 2-4 record
• Forward Quincy Miller played his first minutes for Sacramento and scored one point, grabbed two rebounds and dished out two assists
• Miller has been signed to a 10 day contract with the Kings. He had been playing the Kings D-League team in Reno
• Jason Thompson’s 22 rebounds are a career high
• The Clippers victory evens the season series with the Kings at one win each
• Sacramento and Los Angeles will meet next at the Staples Center on February 21

Up Next

Sacramento heads to Portland to face the Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.

The Clippers will host Boston on Monday afternoon.