Clippers Keep Sacramento in Their Rear-View Mirror

The Wild, Wild West just got a little milder.

The Clippers tightened their hold on what would be their first playoff berth in four years, defeating the Sacramento Kings, 108-98, Wednesday night before 6,227 at the Sports Arena.

The Clippers, in seventh place in the Western Conference, have a two-game lead over the Kings (28-39), who have lost seven consecutive games.

“One thing I’ve learned is that nothing is sure except death and taxes, and none of those apply to us making the playoffs right now,” guard Malik Sealy said after the Clippers had won their second game in a row. “When the final game is played, then we’re in, but we’re not locked into anything.”

The Clippers (29-36) matched last season’s victory total with 17 games left. It is the Clippers’ best record since they went 41-41 under Larry Brown in 1992-1993.

“I don’t get into over- and underachieved,” Clipper Coach Bill Fitch said. “I will say this, they’ve worked hard for it and they’ve had a lot of roadblocks thrown in front of them. As a group we’ve dismissed them.”

Sealy, who had made only eight of 22 shots in his last two games, scored all 27 of his points in the second half as the Clippers outscored the Kings, 54-43.

“I thought he played his best game since he’s been a Clipper,” Fitch said. “He did as good a job offensively and defensively as he’s ever done.”

Sealy scored 16 points in the final quarter when the Clippers outscored the Kings, 32-26. With the Clippers leading, 98-93, Sealy made two free throws and a three-point shot for 103-93 lead with 2:13 remaining.

“The rim wasn’t moving in the second half,” Sealy said. “It stood still. I felt confident. I knew I had to do something. They got me a couple easy post-ups early in the third quarter. Getting some layups always helps your game. When you’re struggling you want to get a layup and get to the foul line.”

Sealy played all-star guard Mitch Richmond, the NBA’s fourth-leading scorer, to a virtual standoff on the scoreboard. Richmond, who was averaging 26 points and shooting 45.6% coming into the game, missed 10 of 28 shots and had 29 points, 15 in the first half.

“I had some really good looks tonight, but the shots just wouldn’t fall when I needed them,” Richmond said.

Richmond missed five of his final nine shots, including four of five three-point shots.

“I did a good job of coming in and keeping him busy,” Sealy said. “I made him pick up some fouls and that took its toll on him in the second half.

“Defensively, I was able to come in and deny him from getting the ball. Even though he did get some shots I made it more difficult for him. I think he started to think about it a little bit more.”

Reserve forward Rodney Rogers had 17 points and six rebounds, guard Darrick Martin had 16 points, two rebounds and two assists and forward Loy Vaught had 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Guard Brent Barry, who entered Tuesday night’s 10-point victory at Phoenix with 5:29 remaining in the first quarter after scoring a season-high 18 points in Sunday night’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, energized the Clippers after replacing Martin with 6:33 remaining in the first quarter.

Barry made his first three shots and had nine points in his first 11 minutes. Barry made his first shot, a three-point attempt, and stole an inbounds pass as the Clippers went on a 5-0 run. He finished with 14 points and four assists.

The Kings’ losing streak puzzles Coach Garry St. Jean.

“It caught me by surprise,” St. Jean said. “We had won seven out of 10 games and were playing very well and had some winable games. We forgot how we were winning.”