Clippers hold off Kings to improve playoff position

Los Angeles Clippers forward Danilo Gallinari, right, drives against Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, March 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Landry Shamet scored eight of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, Lou Williams made two free throws with 7.9 seconds left and the Los Angeles Clippers held off the Sacramento Kings 116-109 on Friday night.

Danilo Gallinari had 19 points and nine rebounds, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 and Ivica Zubac added 10 points and 10 rebounds to help the Clippers complete a season sweep of the Kings in a game that was critical for both teams’ postseason hopes.

Buddy Hield had 23 points for Sacramento. De’Aaron Fox added 12 points and 12 assists, and Willie Cauley-Stein had 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Los Angeles moved a half-game ahead of San Antonio for seventh place in the West. Sacramento, which has lost four of five since the All-Star break, remains two games behind the Spurs for the final playoff spot in the conference.

It wasn’t easy.

The Kings trimmed a 13-point deficit to 110-107 with 1:16 remaining following back-to-back dunks from Harrison Barnes and Cauley-Stein.

Williams made a short jumper then added two free throws after Fox scored on a layup. Montrezl Harrell added a pair of free throws with 1.5 seconds left.

The Clippers have won nine straight against the Kings.

Neither team gained much of an advantage during a back-and-forth first half. The Clippers led by 10 midway through the first quarter but Harry Giles made back-to-back shots and Hield added three free throws to put the Kings ahead 56-52 at halftime.

TIP-INS

Clippers: Williams scored 17 points in 28 minutes. . Los Angeles had seven players score in double figures. . Zubac’s double-double was his fifth of the season. . Wilson Chandler sat out his ninth game with a quad injury.

Kings: Giles had 15 points off the bench on 7-of-13 shooting. . Rookie forward Marvin Bagley III will be sidelined indefinitely with a left knee strain sustained during Wednesday’s 141-140 loss to Milwaukee. Bagley, the second pick in last year’s draft, underwent an MRI that was negative. He will be re-evaluated within the next two weeks.

UP NEXT

Clippers: Host the New York Knicks on Sunday.

Kings: Host the New York Knicks on Monday.