Tyreke Evans scores 22 points, Kings hold off Clippers 97-92

Evans helps Kings beat Clippers

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Tyreke Evans scored 22 points to help the Sacramento Kings beat the Los Angeles Clippers 97-92 on Sunday night.

The Kings took the lead midway through the first quarter and never trailed again in winning their second straight. Sacramento hadn’t won consecutive home games since mid-December. The points allowed was a season low for Sacramento.

Carl Landry scored 18 points, and Spencer Hawes had 16 points and nine rebounds for Sacramento. Omri Casspi added 12 points for the Kings, who committed just nine turnovers.

Chris Kaman had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers. Drew Gooden added 17 points, and Eric Gordon, Rasual Butler and Baron Davis each had 13.

Landry scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and made two free throws with 11.6 seconds left to give Sacramento a 97-92 lead.

A 3-pointer by Butler pulled the Clippers to 91-90 with 2:07 left. But on consecutive possessions, Evans ventured inside and came up with layups, the second one putting the Kings ahead 95-90 with 42.9 remaining.

The road continues to be a difficult place for the Clippers. They dropped their fifth straight and ninth in 10 games since Jan. 25.

Hawes turned in another strong game for the Kings after his criticism of coach Paul Westphal’s rotation led to him not suiting up Tuesday night. Reconciled after a meeting with Westphal, Hawes was back in the starting lineup Friday night and responded with 15 points and 12 rebounds in a victory over Utah.

With the Kings playing uninspired and shooting 26 percent in the third quarter, the Clippers finally cut the lead under double figures. Kaman had eight points for Los Angeles, who outscored the Sacramento 26-20 and trailed 76-68 heading into the fourth.

NOTES: The Kings closed the first quarter on a 20-4 run to take a 32-18 lead. The Clippers shot 33 percent and had five turnovers. … The Clippers are 3-2 under interim head coach Kim Hughes. … Evans scored nine points in the third quarter, but needed nine shots to do it.