Kaman, Griffin overpower Kings, lead Clippers to 120-88 victory

Kaman, Griffin overpower Kings in Clippers’ rout

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Chris Kaman had 20 points and eight rebounds, rookie Blake Griffin added 18 points and 13 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers routed the Sacramento Kings 120-88 on Thursday night.

Kaman and Griffin did practically all their damage in the opening half. The pair played the first 3:23 of the third quarter, when the Clippers (1-1) built the lead to 32 points.

The top pick in the 2009 draft, Blake missed all last season with a stress fracture in his left kneecap. He made an impact right away against the Kings, making all four shots and finishing with 11 points and nine rebounds in the opening quarter.

DeMarcus Cousins had 15 points and nine rebounds for the Kings (1-1), but fouled out early in the fourth quarter. The fifth overall pick in the 2010 draft, Cousins had 16 points and 16 rebounds in Sacramento’s preseason opener.

Griffin had a double-double by early in the second quarter and reached his final totals by halftime, helping the Clippers to a 63-38 lead. Kaman had 16 points and eight boards at the half.

In the Clippers’ preseason opener, Griffin had nine points, seven rebounds and five turnovers in 22 minutes against Portland, which defeated Los Angeles 115-86.

Carl Landry scored 14 points for Sacramento. Tyreke Evans, last year’s Rookie of the Year, played the first nine minutes and scored 11 points. Luther Head also had 11.

Al-Farouq Aminu scored 17 points for the Clippers, who outscored the Kings 30-14 in the second quarter. Starting guard Eric Gordon, who was rested in the preseason opener after playing a key role this summer with the U.S. team in the world championship, had 12.

Clippers starting point guard Baron Davis is bothered by a sore knee and strained calf, and sat out a second straight game.

Kings starting guard Beno Udrih strained his right shoulder in practice this week and watched the game in street clothes.