FINAL
Clippers 97, Kings 85
LOS ANGELES - The Kings didn't have enough to take down the hottest team in the NBA.
The Clippers (20-6) won their franchise-record 12th consecutive game, led by Blake Griffin (21 points, 12 rebounds) and Chris Paul (24 points, 13 assists).
Jimmer Fredette had 16 points off the bench for the Kings (8-18).
The Kings played the second half without DeMarcus Cousins, who was left in the locker room after halftime after a verbal altercation with coach Keith Smart
THIRD QUARTER
Clippers 73, Kings 62
LOS ANGELES - The Kings cut the Clippers' lead down to six, but now without their top-2 scorers (DeMarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans) the Kings could not sustain the run.
Marcus Thornton has 11 points to lead the Kings. James Johnson has eight points off the bench. But the Kings have allowed 18 points off 13 turnovers.
Blake Griffin has 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Clippers. Chris Paul has 18 points and 12 assists.
HALFTIME
Clippers 53, Kings 39
LOS ANGELES - The story here isn't the score, but what happened at halftime. WE don't for sure, but it led to the Kings returning to the court without DeMarcus Cousins.
Cousins is not on the bench and will not play the rest of the night. It's not injury related, a coach's decision.
Cousins had nine points, five rebounds and three assists. This is the latest thing to pop up with the Kings and Cousins, who has already been suspended twice by the NBA this season.
FIRST QUARTER
Clippers 29, Kings 21
LOS ANGELES - The start wasn't as horrible as the Kings' last trip here, but it's still not what they'd hoped for.
The Kings already have six turnovers that have led to nine points for the Clippers. Blake Griffin (11 points) and Chris Paul (eight points, seven assists) are playing like stars and the Kings haven't shown they have an answer for them.
The Kings are without Tyreke Evans (sore left knee) and Francisco Garcia (sore lower back). Marcus Thornton started at guard for Garcia, who had been starting for Evans.
Thornton has 10 points.
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