NBA Update: Los Angeles Clippers squeeze out win over Sacramento Kings, 98 - 91
With 01:37 to go, the Clippers scored 7 points to blow up the visiting Kings, 98-91 at Staples Center. 14,964 basketball fans witnessed the superlative come back of the home team after the defeat at Rose Garden.
The Daredevils of the Game
The paladin of the game, Eric Gordon scored game high 29 points, hitting a go-ahead 3-pointer with 47 seconds to lift the Los Angeles Clippers at home ground. Ryan Gomes added 17 points and Blake Griffin had 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists for the
Clippers.
"It's good to get over the hump," Gordon said. "They just cut it down so quickly. That was just a crazy transition."
Omri Casspi posted team-high 21 points and 10 rebounds for Kings. Tyreke Evans scored 16 points, grasped 3 assists. Carl Landry and DeMarcus Cousins contributed 15 each in the defeat. Pooh Jeter had all 11 of his points in the fourth for the Kings.
How Clippers walked away with victory
How does this team handle success of a big win when they have to turn around the next night after a defeat and take on another team at home? Fortunately, the Clippers snapped two games losing streak with flying colours.
The kings entered the stadium with a great hope to snap seven games losing streak; unfortunately, they ended in making it eight in a row.
The Kings got it going offensively at the start and headed the first quarter with 4 points, 20 -16.
The Clippers fought hard and finally made the score respectable one by cutting down the deficit. Bledsoe scored the Clippers' final six points to give them a 50-44 halftime lead.
With a minute to go in the third quarter, the two free throws by Griffin and a Gomes’ jumper gave the hosts a seemingly comfortable 79-63 lead.
The Sacramento shot 32.8 percent from the field in the first three quarters.
The Kings then made five of their first six attempts to open the fourth and scored 12 unanswered points to open the fourth. Casspi hit a three from the right corner to cap a 12-0 flurry over the first three minutes.
With 5:31 to go in the final buzzer, Casspi’s three-point play a very vital role to complete the comeback, as the free throw gave Sacramento an 86-85 lead.
"We found a combination that worked. Our bench gave us the shot we needed," said Kings Head coach Paul Westphal.
The Gordon's should thank Driving layup who hit the right shot that tied the game 91-all, with 1:37 showing.
The game was one-sided in the last minute as the Sacramento remained scoreless and the Clippers scored 9 points to stamp their fifth victory of the season.
Climax of the Game
Tyreke Evans of Kings sank a 3-pointer with 2:36 remaining to give the Kings a 91-87 lead, but they did not score again. At the other end Clipper’s Ryan Gomes, hit a jump shot and Gordon followed him in the progress with seven straight points.
Far and away the best
The true hero of the game was none other than Eric Gordon, who scored 23 of his team-high 29 points in second half, including seven in the game-ending run. He has scored at least 20 points in nine straight games.
"We definitely needed this win. We were expected to win this game from the start."
- Clippers guard Eric Gordon
Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro had great trust in Gordon as he put the ball in Gordon's hand down the stretch and he led the Clippers to their fifth victory, all at home.
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