Clippers Clobber Kings 111-85

Chris Kaman took another trip Wednesday night to the NBA’s most exclusive hangout, the 20-20 club, as he once again scored 20 points, and grabbed 21 rebounds, as the Los Angeles Clippers de-throned the Sacramento Kings 111-85. Los Angeles rookie Al Thornton just missed a double-double himself as he had a game high 23?points, and 9 boards while coming off the bench. The two teams played a competitive first half but the Clippers ran away with game in the second half.?

Kaman who went to Central Michigan a MAC school, never seemed to quite live up to the expectations? in his previous 4 years in the Association. He was a lottery pick by the Clippers in the 2003 NBA Draft, and although he showed glimpses, especially in the 2005-2006 campaign, he never showed consistency. This has been a big year in the acceleration of Kaman as a legitimate force in the middle, for Los Angeles. And though the team has not played well which led to a war of words between Clippers owner Donald Sterling, and coach Mike Dunleavy, Kaman has been one of the few bright spots.

Los Angeles led at the end of the first quarter 22-19, and had a slim lead at the half as they had a 50-49 advantage when the two teams went to their respective locker rooms. What was a close contest?in the first half quickly deteriorated in to a rout in the second half, as the Clippers pulled ahead 76-64 at the end of the third quarter. The clips outscored Sacramento 35-21 in the final?period.

Thornton shot 7-17 from the floor, 9-11 from the line for his 23 points, along with his 9 boards, he had 4 assists, 2 steals, 2?blocks. Corey Maggette scored 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, Kaman along with his 20 points, and 21 rebounds, had 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks. Tim Thomas scored 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, Sam Cassell scored 12 points, 7 assists, 2 rebounds.

Mike Bibby looked like he was close to being in mid-season form even though he was just activated last week as he shot 6-14 from the floor including 1 trey, 3-4 from the line for 16 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 block. Brad Miller recorded a double-double for Sacramento, 15 points, 12 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals, Kevin Martin another recently returned player?for the Kings?, scored 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal. Francisco Garcia came off the bench also scoring 11 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal.

After the game Dunleavy said he had talked about the words exchanged in the media that we reported about on?Wednesday. Dunleavy said the two men talked about their frustrations, and now every thing is just peaches and cream, or something like?that.? Dunleavy said after the game “We’re both frustrated about the losses and we both spoke out of frustration. I had a good conversation with him today, and overall I think I made him feel comfortable and he made me feel comfortable. I know he committed and wants to do whatever it takes to win, and I’m certainly committed. Basically, he said he’s a long-term guy, he believes in me and he’s got confidence in me, and I feel the same way about him. That’s why I took the job.” The Clippers are now 13-25,?Sacramento is 18-23.??