Theus Puts On a Show as Kings Beat Clippers

Guard Reggie Theus of the Sacramento Kings conducted a shooting clinic Thursday night against the Clippers.

Theus, out of Inglewood High School, scored 32 points as the Kings handed the Clippers their fourth straight defeat, 125-115, before an announced crowd of 6,719 at the Sports Arena.

Theus scored 17 points in the third quarter as the Kings, who led by one point at halftime, broke the game open. Sacramento led by as many as 24 points in the final period before the Clippers put on a belated rally.

“It was embarrassing and ridiculous; you pick a word,” Clipper guard Larry Drew said.

Asked if the Clippers (12-60) have given up with 10 games left in the season, Drew said: “I really hope not.”

Theus made 11 of 17 shots and 10 of 11 free throws. He also had 7 assists and a steal.

“My shots started falling in the third period,” Theus said.

Quipped Jerry Reynolds, the Kings’ interim coach: “It’s always great to come to L.A. and beat the Lakers. We are in L.A., aren’t we?”

Terry Tyler came off the bench to score 19 points, and forward Otis Thorpe and LaSalle Thompson added 18 apiece.

The Kings (24-49) also beat the Clippers, 113-91, last Saturday at Sacramento. The Kings took the season series, four games to one.

“I think this game was very similar to the one in Sacramento,” Clipper Coach Don Chaney said. “Reggie hurt us early. He was hitting all jumpers.

“But the guy that really hurt us was Otis (Thorpe).”

Clipper forward Michael Cage, who was assigned to guard Thorpe, had 9 points and 13 rebounds. Cage was playing with a sore left knee suffered when he was accidentally bumped by Rolando Blackman Tuesday night in the Clippers’ 118-102 loss at Dallas.

“It was by far one of Cage’s worst games,” Chaney said.

Cage said: “Every time I got the ball, they double-teamed me. They had a couple of guys running at me.”

Guard Mike Woodson scored 29 points for the Clippers. Rory White added 16 points, all in the first half. Guard Darnell Valentine had 15 points and 11 assists.

“We let it get away in the third period,” Woodson said.

The Clippers led, 31-28, at the end of the first period as Woodson hit a shot with one second left in the period.

Woodson, who had 21 points in the first half, scored 14 in the first period to lead the Clippers. Woodson hit 10 of 13 shots in the first half.

White added 16 points in the first half, making 6 of 8 shots.

However, the Kings blitzed the Clippers, 15-4, in a 4 1/2-minute stretch of the second period to take a 60-59 lead at intermission.

Theus led the Kings with 13 points in the first half. Eddie Johnson had 9.

Sacramento outscored the Clippers, 34-21, in the third quarter. The Kings outscored the Clippers, 20-9, in the first five minutes of that period and built their lead to as many as 16 points. It was 94-80 going into the fourth quarter, too much for the Clippers to overcome.

Clipper Notes

The Clipper players said they were glad to see Marques Johnson back on the bench for Thursday night’s game. “I know he’s been having a tougher time probably than we’ve been having this year,” forward Michael Cage said of Johnson. “I’m sure he’s been aware of what’s happening to us.” Said Larry Drew of Johnson: “It was great to see him here. I haven’t seen him in a while.” . . . The Clippers play 5 of their last 10 games at the Sports Arena. They meet the Phoenix Suns Saturday at the Sports Arena and the Lakers Monday at the Forum. . . . Clipper forward Kenny Fields, who has missed the last 20 games with a calf strain, started the second period for the Clippers. Fields didn’t score a point in 12 minutes of action in the game.