Clippers Finish This Season Thinking About Next One

Antoine Carr scored 12 of his team’s final 15 points and Jim Les tied a career high with 20 points as the Sacramento Kings beat the Clippers, 105-101, Sunday in the season finale for both teams.

The Clippers ended Coach Mike Schuler’s first season with a 31-51 record, one victory short of the club record for the franchise in Los Angeles.

“It’s the time of the year we should be getting prepared for next season,” Schuler said. “Next season, we shouldn’t be packing our bags. This time next year, we should be getting ready for the playoffs.”

The Kings, who were 1-40 on the road, finished with a 24-17 home record.

Carr, who had a team-high 11 rebounds, scored 12 consecutive points, including a pressured baseline jumper and free throw with 20.6 seconds left to push Sacramento’s lead to 102-97.

On the Clippers’ next possession, Carr blocked Charles Smith’s jump shot.

Les, the NBA’s leading three-point shooter, made four of five on Sunday, including the first four-point play in franchise history.

Smith paced the Clippers with 25 points. Olden Polynice contributed 17 points and a career-high 18 rebounds for the Clippers, who lost their fifth consecutive road game.

“That’s a hard game to play,” Sacramento Coach Dick Motta said. “You want to go out and make the effort, but deep down you know that it is over and you want to go home.

“I said go out and have some fun. The people want to be entertained today. They haven’t had much to cheer about for six years.”

King fans mostly cheered about Les’ long-range efforts. For the season, he made 71 of 154 three-point attempts (46.1%).