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Tuesday, Apr. 10 10:30pm ET
Clips force OT, but can't dethrone Kings

RECAP | BOX SCORE | 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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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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