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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – The Sacramento Kings used every
scoring trick in their sizable bag. Until overtime, the Los Angeles
Clippers answered everything the league's highest-scoring team did.
Chris Webber's hook shot and Predrag Stojakovic's 3-pointer broke
the game open in overtime as the Kings won their fourth straight,
beating the Clippers 116-109 Tuesday night.
In an old-fashioned NBA shootout, Webber scored 31 points and
Stojakovic had 27 as the Kings fought off an inspired effort from
the Clippers, who appeared to be on the verge of their first win at
Arco Arena since 1997.
The lead changed 27 times as the teams combined for 189 shots
and traded baskets with impressive flair for all 48 minutes of
regulation, leading to plenty of mutual admiration after the game.
"They just wouldn't go down," said Bobby Jackson, who hit a
layup in overtime. "We weren't playing that badly, but they have a
lot of talented scorers. We finally got it done in the overtime,
but it was a scary game for us."
Sacramento (53-24), which held the Clippers without a field goal
in overtime until eight seconds remained, remained one game ahead
of the Lakers for the Pacific Division lead.
"Those guys can shoot," said Jeff McInnis, who hit six
straight shots to give the Clippers a fourth-quarter lead. "It
doesn't matter which one it is. The rim is like a magnet. Even
Vlade (Divac) was out there shooting long balls."
Lamar Odom, who led Los Angeles with 20 points and 10 rebounds,
forced overtime by hitting two free throws ? rattling the first one
around the rim for several heart-stopping moments ? to tie the game
at 106-106 with 5.5 seconds left in regulation.
But the Kings put it away quickly. Their 10-1 run to open
overtime included three free throws from Divac, who had 20 points,
and big baskets from Webber, Stojakovic and Jackson.
The Clippers played in their 13th overtime game, leaving them
one shy of the NBA record set by the 1990-91 76ers. They're just
3-10 in overtime, however.
"We did a very poor job of executing in overtime, and that has
been a problem throughout the year," Clippers coach Alvin Gentry
said. "We get into the overtime and decide to not do the things
that we're asked to do. Every time we do that, it gets us in
trouble."
Jason Williams had 15 points for the Kings, who won their sixth
straight overtime game and eighth this season. Sacramento's home
record improved to 32-8, the NBA's second-best.
"It was a very tiring game, because they're a tough team to get
rid of," said Stojakovic, who hit three 3-pointers. "We knocked
down shots, and they kept coming back."
Six Clippers scored in double figures. Eric Piatkowski had 18
points, while McInnis and Corey Maggette had 16 apiece.
Los Angeles backed up its play by not backing down from the
division-leading Kings. Michael Olowokandi directed a steady stream
of trash talk at Divac, while Webber and Cherokee Parks had a few
staredowns.
The Clippers held a four-point lead in the fourth quarter, but
lost momentum when center Sean Rooks was ejected for vehemently
arguing a foul call with 8:40 to play. The Kings scored five
straight points from Webber's three-point play and Stojakovic's
technical free throws to take the lead.
With four of their final five games on the road, the Kings still
face long odds for their first division title in 22 years. The
Lakers, who beat Phoenix on Tuesday, finish with three games at
home.
On their final chance in regulation, the Kings got the ball to
Webber, but he took a poor shot from the right baseline that never
had a chance.
Game notes
The Clippers haven't won in Sacramento since Nov. 7, 1997.
The Kings have won six straight at home and eight of 11 in the
series. ... The Kings next face three road games in four days
against playoff-bound San Antonio, Dallas and Phoenix. ... Odom
missed the Clippers' loss to San Antonio on Saturday with a bruised
tailbone.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
LA Clippers Clubhouse
Sacramento Clubhouse
RECAPS
Cleveland 101
Orlando 78
Miami 83
Philadelphia 81
Milwaukee 105
Chicago 84
Denver 100
Houston 99
San Antonio 91
Dallas 79
Portland 116
Golden State 88
Minnesota 104
Vancouver 91
LA Lakers 106
Phoenix 80
Sacramento 116
LA Clippers 109
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