The Sacramento Kings, before Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers, were 3-5; nothing unusual about that as the Kings tend to start off slow.  What is amazing is that the Kings are winning their games being short-handed as they are missing three injuries due to injury: Kevin Martin (sprained ankle), Quincy Douby (sore right ankle) and Francisco Garcia (strained right calf),  So naturally, they have to rely on other sources for their offensive output; enter Beno Udrih.  Udrih was the hero this game as he scored a career-high 30 points, leading Sacramento to a narrow win over Los Angles at Staples Center.

Speaking of Udrih, he got off to a hot start, scoring ten points as Sacramento took a 27-20 lead although they took zero free throw attempts; two consecutive baskets by Bobby Jackson gave the Kings a 34-24 lead early in the second quarter.  Sacramento was holding onto a 41-32 advantage when Los Angeles put together an 11-2 run which would tie the game; but the Kings would respond with 7 straight points before a basket by the Clippers’ Ricky Davis reduced Sacramentos’ lead to 50-45 at halftime.

The Kings would score the first 6 points of the third period to assume a 56-45 lead and would go into the final quarter with an 81-69 cushion.  A basket by Udrih and 4 straight points by Mikki Moore would give the Kings an 11-point lead with 4:48 left in the game; however, the Clippers would fight back, getting a pair of treys by Davis during a 13-4 run which would bring Los Angeles to within 99-97 with 1:52 remaining.

With just over a minute left to go and the Kings holding a slim 100-98 lead, Udrih made a jumper to give Sacramento a 4-point lead; unfortunately for Los Angeles, they would not score another point.  Sacramento was led by the aforementioned Udrih with a career-high 30 points, along with 5 rebounds, 7 assists,  and 2 steals while Brad Miller and Jason Thompson added 16 apiece – with Miller nearly getting a triple-double as he grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out 8 assists with a steal and a blocked shot while Thompson also grabbed 11 boards.

Los Angeles was led by Al Thornton with 20 points, 3 rebounds and 3 blocked shots while Davis from off the bench added 16 (including 4 treys) with 3 rebounds and 2 assists.  Sacramento (4-5) plays again on Friday when they host the Phoenix Suns while Los Angeles (1-7) stay at home to host the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.