Sacramento Beats Clippers as Russell Makes Debut

Forward Otis Thorpe scored 24 points as the Sacramento Kings beat the Clippers, 122-105, in a National Basketball Assn. exhibition game Sunday night at Yuba College in Marysville, Calif.

Thorpe, who played only 24 minutes, was backed by rookie guard Kenny Smith and guard Reggie Theus, who each had nine assists. Theus was also the Kings second highest scorer with 16. Center Joe Kleine came off the bench to score 14 points.

The game marked the debut of ex-Boston Celtic star Bill Russell as coach of the Kings.

The Clippers (2-2), who had their two-game winning streak broken, play the Kings (1-0) again Thursday night in Bakersfield.

Guard Mike Woodson, an ex-King, led the Clippers with 15 points and center Benoit Benjamin added 14, including 10 in the second quarter.

The Kings dominated the Clippers throughout, maintaining the lead except for two brief moments in the first quarter. The final period included six straight points by center Jawann Oldham, a 7-footer acquired Thursday from the New York Knicks in exchange for a second-round draft pick. Oldham finished with 10 points.