Kings beat the Lakers, 102-92, without Gay, Cousins

The Lakers stayed with the Kings for three quarters, but heavy minutes took their toll and Sacramento pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 102-92 victory at Sleep Train Arena.

Omri Casspi put up big numbers, scoring a game-high 26 points with nine rebounds and six assists.

Jordan Clarkson, who suffered what looked like an ankle tweak after landing on Ray McCallum’s foot, led the Lakers with 23 points, along with six assists and five steals in 47 minutes.

The Lakers played just eight players with numerous injuries. Vander Blue, who was previously with the D-Fenders in the NBA Development League, was signed prior to the game. He scored seven points and had two steals in 26 minutes.

Robert Sacre was the only available Laker not to play -- the shortage of players were at guard and small forward, not center.

Jordan Hill and Jabari Brown both scored 18 points for the Lakers. Brown played 46 minutes. Ed Davis collected 14 rebounds.

Sacramento got 20 points from Derrick Williams, 14 points from Carl Landry, 12 points from McCallum and 10 points from both Jason Thompson and Andre Miller.

DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay both sat out with injuries.

The Kings shot 48.6% from the field but really got separation from the Lakers at the free throw line, hitting 28 of 36 (77.8%). The Lakers only attempted 13, making eight (61.5%), while converting 41.7% from the field.

With the loss, the Lakers fall to 21-60. They’ll host the Kings (28-53) on Wednesday for the season finale.

Kings 75 - Lakers 74 (end of third quarter)

The Kings pulled ahead slightly after three quarters, taking a one-point lead after both teams tied the first two periods.

Omri Casspi neared a triple-double, scoring 19 points with nine rebounds and six assists. Carl Landry added 14 points, Derrick Williams 13 points and Ray McCallum 10 points.

The Lakers were led by Jordan Hill with 18 points. Jordan Clarkson contributed 17 points with six assists while Jabari Brown added 16 points.

The Kings shot 49.1% from the field and 69.2% from the free-throw line (18-26). The Lakers hit 45.3% but attempted only seven free throws, making four (57.1%).

Lakers 51 - Kings 51 (halftime)

The Lakers and Kings both scored 27 points in the second quarter, leaving them even at the half.

Jordan Hill led all scorers with 14 points on seven-of-11 shooting. Jabari Brown added 11 points with five assists.

Omri Casspi was the high scorer for the Kings with 11 points. Carl Landry hit four-of-five shots for 10 points.

The Lakers shot 45.3% from the field, but missed all six of their three-point attempts. The Kings hit 48.8% from the field, but also struggled from deep, converting just one of eight from behind the arc (12.5%).

Sacramento took 14 free throws (making 10 for 71.4%) to the Lakers’ six (converting three for 50.0%).

Vander Blue scored four points with two steals in his debut half with the Lakers.

Lakers 24 - Kings 24 (end of first quarter)

Despite playing short-handed, the Lakers finished the first quarter tied with the Kings at 24 points apiece.

Jordan Hill got the start for Wesley Johnson (ankle), with Ryan Kelly sliding over to small forward. Hill scored a quick 10 points on five-of-six shooting.

Jabari Brown added eight points as the Lakers shot 48.0% from the field.

The Lakers added guard Vander Blue from the D-Fenders earlier in the day, giving the Lakers a four-man bench with Carlos Boozer, Ed Davis and Robert Sacre. Blue didn’t score in just under two minutes of play.

The Kings, who sat DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay, scored the final six points of the period.

Omri Casspi was the leading scorer for Sacramento with seven points. His team shot 50.0% from the field.

Pregame

The Lakers (21-59) visit the Sacramento Kings (27-53) on Monday night.

Wesley Johnson is out (ankle), while Dwight Buycks broke his hand just as his 10-day contract expired. Jeremy Lin (knee), Wayne Ellington (shoulder), Nick Young (knee), Ronnie Price (elbow), Kobe Bryant (shoulder) and Julius Randle (knee) are all done for the season.

The Kings have shut down DeMarcus Cousins (foot) and Rudy Gay (concussion), while Darren Collison (hip) and Eric Moreland (shoulder) are also out. Reggie Evans (thumb) is questionable.

For an in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers at Sacramento Kings.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.