Clippers hold off tough Kings

ANDREW Bogut proved he could still play in the NBA and the Sydney Kings showed plenty of fight, but it was not enough to upset the Los Angeles Clippers, who won 110-91 in Honolulu in the NBA-NBL exhibition series.

The Kings kept close to the Clippers, unlike the 130-72 shellacking the Utah Jazz gave the Perth Wildcats on Saturday.

At half-time the Clippers led 59-54 and with six minutes left Sydney trailed by just six points before LA charged home.

The Kings’ diminutive 175cm-tall US import point guard Jerome Randle led Sydney with 25 points.

Bogut, the NBA’s top draft pick in 2005 and a 13-season veteran of basketball’s top league, moved back to Australia this year to play in the NBL. He had eight points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Bogut had an injury scare early in the second quarter when Clippers forward Luc Mbah A Moute drove to the basket and his right leg collided with Bogut’s left leg.

Bogut grimaced and immediately limped to the bench before returning with two minutes left in the second quarter and continuing his strong play.

The exhibition series continues on Thursday when the Phoenix Suns host the New Zealand Breakers and later in the week Melbourne United plays the Toronto Raptors, Perth will look to improve against the Denver Nuggets and the Adelaide 36ers face the Jazz.