Kings fall to Clippers in NBA Cup game 104-88

On By Littum

LOS ANGELES – James Harden had 22 points and nine assists to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 104-88 victory over the Sacramento Kings in an NBA Cup game on Friday night.

Playing arguably their cleanest half of the season, the Clippers never looked back after ripping off a 20-1 run in the first quarter to take control. They led 51-29 at halftime after turning the ball over just three times.

Derrick Jones Jr. added 17 for Los Angeles, which is 1-1 in the NBA Cup and has won seven straight home games after dropping its first four in the new Intuit Dome.

De’Aaron Fox had 25 of his 29 points in the second half for the Kings, who battled but couldn’t overcome their early struggles. Domantas Sabonis had 24 points and 15 rebounds after missing the previous two games with a back injury, and DeMar DeRozan chipped in with 16 points in his first game since Nov. 15 with a back injury.

Takeaways

Kings: Just days removed from putting up 60 and 49 points in back-to-back games, Fox couldn’t get going early, badly missing a late 3-pointer to cap a forgettable first half.

Clippers: When not giving opponents turnovers that lead to easy buckets, Los Angeles is tough to beat.

Key moment

The Clippers didn’t give the ball away until Mo Bamba was whistled for an offensive foul with 9:22 left in the second quarter.

Key state

Sacramento couldn’t buy a 3, making 7 of 35 attempts (20%). Its two worst performances from behind the arc this season have come against the Clippers, going 3 for 26 (11.5%) on Nov. 8.

Next

The Kings host Brooklyn on Sunday and the Clippers begin a four-game road trip in Philadelphia on Sunday.