Clippers let big lead evaporate before beating Kings, 121-115

For three quarters Friday night, the lopsided score and even more lopsided statistics were all about the dominance of the Clippers over the Sacramento Kings.

The Clippers built what looked like a comfortable 26-point lead in the first half and it was still what seemed like a safe 19-point cushion entering the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center.

But as that lead began to wither away, the Clippers were forced to hold on for a 121-115 victory over the Kings.

Leading the Kings’ charge was DeMarcus Cousins, who had 38 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.

The Clippers not only stopped playing defense, but Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said his team’s offense went into the “North Carolina four-corner stall” as the game proceeded.

The next thing they knew, the lead was down to 117-114 after Darren Collison made a three-pointer with 2:23 left and then to 117-115 when Matt Barnes made one of two free throws after he stripped Blake Griffin on defense.

But Chris Paul found DeAndre Jordan for a lob dunk for a 119-115 lead and the point guard made two of four throws for the final margin.

After the game was over, Paul had his right shoulder wrapped up as he was getting ice on it. He had worn a pad during the game to protect the shoulder, which he injured during the Memphis game Wednesday night.

Paul didn’t have one of his better games, scoring 11 points on two-for-10 shooting and handing out 12 assists. But he was there when the Clippers (11-2) needed him.

“It’s kind of frustrating, because obviously we all know it’s something we’re trying to move past,” Paul said. “But a win is a win. I think that’s a good sign. We expect a lot more from each other.”

A close game didn’t seem likely after a first quarter when the Clippers shot 70% and took a 40-24 lead. It was 73-54 at the half.

They shot 70.3% from the field in the first 24 minutes, tied for their highest field-goal percentage in a half since the 2002-03 season at Memphis.

The Clippers even topped that with their first-half three-point shooting, making a sizzling 76.9% (10 for 13).

J.J. Redick was the hottest Clipper in that first half with 22 points. He made all six of his three-pointers, giving him 13 in a row from beyond the arc going back to Wednesday’s game.

He finished the game with 26 points on eight-for-12 shooting, six for eight on three-pointers.

In the first quarter, Redick got most of his help from Griffin, who had 15 of his 29 points in the opening period.

“It’s always nice to win the game,” Rivers said. “But we want to be better than that.”

Etc.

Clippers rookie forward Diamond Stone will be sent to the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Development League to get some playing time. Stone has played in only three games for the Clippers this season, averaging 2.0 points in 4.6 minutes.

Stone is expected to keep playing for the Warriors, an affiliate of the Golden State Warriors, while the Clippers are on their 12-day trip starting next week. The Clippers don’t have a Development League team yet.

“Obviously, it’s not the greatest situation when you don’t have your own team,” Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said. “The drawback for us is, Diamond, wherever he’ll go, has to learn another system.”

UP NEXT

VS. CHICAGO

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Staples Center.

On the air: TV: Prime Ticket; Radio: 570, 1330.

Records: Clippers 11-2; Bulls 8-4.

Records vs. Bulls: Clippers 1-1 (2014-15 season).

Update: The Clippers will be playing the back end of their fourth set of back-to-back games of the season; they are 3-0 so far this season. The new-look Bulls are still led by mainstay Jimmy Butler, who leads the team in scoring (24.2). But key acquisitions Dwyane Wade, who is second on the team in scoring (17.3), point guard Rajon Rondo, who leads the team in assists (6.5) despite being out with an ankle injury, and center Robin Lopez, second in rebounding (7.8), are major contributors.

broderick.turner@latimes.com

Twitter: @BA_Turner