Clippers lead the Kings at halftime, 56-51

There was a lot of hype heading into the Clippers’ game against the Kings on Saturday, most of which pertained to Sacramento center DeMarcus Cousin’s assertion that Blake Griffin is “babied” by the league after their extremely chippy game Thursday.

The teams played again only two days later at Staples Center and, so far, the game has been anything but physical as the Clippers have taken a 56-51 lead at halftime.

The referees set the tone early.

Clippers center DeAndre Jordan fouled Cousins at the top of the first quarter. The moment Jordan began to complain about the call, the referees dealt him a technical.

The Clippers have led by as many as 14 points in what has been the Griffin and Randy Foye show. They have combined for 34 of the team’s first-half points.

It took Griffin barely a minute to register his first dunk. Four others followed. After one of his dunks, his gaze remained on Kings guard Jimmer Fredette for a few seconds too long -- but that’s about as chippy as the game has gotten so far.

One fan hopes that changes. “Hey Blake, give me a Cousins poster,” he shouted.

Griffin is eight for 10 from the field and has grabbed eight rebounds. Foye is six for eight, including four of five from the three-point line.

The Kings ended the first half with an 8-3 run to cut the Clippers’ double-digit lead to five. Cousins and Fredette lead the Kings with 10 points apiece.

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Clippers lead the Kings at halftime, 56-51