FINAL Kings 105, Clippers 99
Marcus Thornton scored 16 of his season-high 29 points in the fourth quarter to help the Kings rally and hold off the Clippers. Beno Udrih added 19 points and seven assists. The Kings held the Clippers to 16 points in the fourth, to help end a streak in which the Kings had allowed their last seven opponents to score at least 100 points.
*After allowing 78 points in the paint Saturday in Memphis, the Kings limited the Clippers to 46 points in the paint. Blake Griffin was still able to hurt the Kings (27 points, 12 rebounds, but centers DeAndre Jordan and Chris Kaman combined for just 18 points.
*The Kings were able to overcome allowing 27 points off 19 turnovers. The Clippers has a season-high 14 steals. The Clippers weren't careful enough with the ball either. Los Angeles committed 21 turnovers that led to 23 points for the Kings.
*Both sides said the crowd played a factor in the game:
Kings coach Paul Westphal: "It was fantastic to have the people behind us. It really meant a lot and it was great for our team to experience that. I think it made a difference. The fourth quarter showing - we had energy right through the end and the fans were a big part of that.
Griffin: "They just picked up the energy, picked up the intensity and the crowd really got into it. Gotta give them credit, the fans came out and did a good job for them."
*Tonight's game was the second sellout of the season. The only other sellout was the home opener against Toronto.
THIRD QUARTER Clippers 83, Kings 78
It was a matter of time before Blake Griffin started coming through with some highlights. Griffin caught two alley-oop dunks on his way to nine points in the third quarter. He now has a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds. Randy Foye is doing a good job of taking Eric Gordon's place with 18 points.
*The Kings continue to struggle with turnovers. They have 14 - not outrageously high - but they've led to 21 points for the Clippers. The Clippers have been forcing those mistakes with 12 steals.
*Beno Udrih leads the Kings with 14 points and five assists. Marcus Thornton has 13 points off the bench. He has missed five of six shots and has only four points. Jason Thompson has 12 points for the Kings. DeMarcus Cousins continues to show he's not nearly as effective off the bench.
HALFTIME Clippers 52, Kings 51
*The Kings are balanced thus far. All 10 Kings that have played have scored. Luther Head is the only King that hasn't played for the Kings. Marcus Thornton has nine points of off the bench to lead the kings. Jason Thompson and Samuel Dalembert each have eight points.
*Blake Griffin has 14 points and six rebounds, both hame highs. He hasn't dominated the front line in the way Zach Randolph did Saturday in Memphis. In fact, the Kings actually hold a 30-22 advantage in points in the paint. Randy Foye has 11 points for the Clippers. He's starting in place of Eric Gordon, who is injured but has made a habit of torching the Kings.
*Neither team is taking care of the ball well. The Kings have 10 turnovers, leading to 14 Clipper points. The Clippers have nine turnovers that have led to 12 points for the Kings.
*The Kings haven't found their way from long-range yet. They've missed eight of 10 three pointers.
FIRST QUARTER Kings 29, Clippers 29
The Clippers might be the perfect opponent. On a night many fans have come out for the "Here We Stay" campaign, the Clippers have won only five games on the road and so the game figures to be competitive. It is thus far with the Clippers hanging around thanks to making 12 of 13 free throws while shooting 38.1 percent from the field.
*Gavin, George and Joe Maloof are sitting courtside. Mayor Kevin Johnson is also courtside. And no, I haven't seen them chat yet or seen the Maloofs hand over any arena-related docutments.
*Chants of "Sacramento" were loud to start the game. Clippers star Blake Griffin was booed as if his name was Kobe.
*Griffin leads all scorers with 10 points to go with four rebounds. Jason Thompson and Marcus Thornton each have six points to lead the Kings. Beno Udrih has five points and three assists.
*The Kings are playing in throwbacks from the 1951 Rochester Royals team that won the franchise's only championship. Interesting night to wear the throwbacks.
--Jason Jones
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