The Clippers executed one of their best halves of the season, dominating the game early with a remarkable 20-1 run in the first quarter that gave them a commanding lead. They went into halftime with a score of 51-29, showcasing their efficiency by committing only three turnovers during the first half.
Derrick Jones Jr. played a crucial role as well, contributing 17 points for Los Angeles, which now holds a 1-1 record in the NBA Cup and has notably won seven consecutive home games after initially struggling with four straight losses at the new Intuit Dome.
For the Kings, De’Aaron Fox came alive in the second half, accumulating 25 of his 29 points after the break, although his team could not overcome a shaky start. Domantas Sabonis returned to the court with 24 points and 15 rebounds after missing two games due to a back concern, while DeMar DeRozan added 16 points in his comeback game since November 15.
Takeaways:
Kings: After great performances with 60 and 49 points in their prior outings, Fox struggled to find his rhythm early, culminating in a poorly executed late 3-pointer that symbolized a first half to forget.
Clippers: When the team avoids turnovers that grant their opponents easy scores, they prove to be a formidable opponent.
Key moment:
Los Angeles maintained control of the ball until Mo Bamba was called for an offensive foul with 9:22 remaining in the second quarter, exemplifying their disciplined play.
Key stat:
Sacramento faced difficulties from beyond the arc, making only 7 out of 35 attempts, translating to a mere 20% success rate. Their two lowest performances of the season in three-point shooting have both occurred against the Clippers, previously shooting only three for 26 (11.5%) on November 8.
Looking ahead, the Kings will host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, while the Clippers are set to begin a four-game road trip starting against the Philadelphia 76ers on the same day.
