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Former King Hart leads Clippers to rare win at Arco Arena

Mar 31, 2007 - 6:38 AM SACRAMENTO, California (Ticker) -- Playing against his former team, Jason Hart helped the Los Angeles Clippers finally post a win in California's capital.

Hart had 16 points and seven assists and Cuttino Mobley added 26 points as the Clippers snapped a 17-game road losing streak against the Sacramento Kings with a 105-101 victory.

Los Angeles posted its first win in Sacramento since a 98-85 triumph on November 7, 1997. In their last visit here, the Clippers shot a season-low 30 percent in a 93-80 loss on November 28.

"A great game from us. It's been a long time since the Clippers have won here, not that that was the point of emphasis," Los Angeles coach Mike Dunleavy said. "Obviously, the playoff race is really the focal point for us right now. Our guys defended really well, we played within ourselves. (Sacramento) made some really good runs back at us, but we bent a little and didn't break. It was good to see."

It was a different story this time around thanks to Hart, who played 66 games last season and 13 with the Kings this campaign before being waved on March 2. The 30-year-old point guard has been a huge pickup for Los Angeles, which is playing without star floor general Shaun Livingston, who is out for the season with multiple knee injuries.

"I'm just excited," Hart said. "To come back to Sacramento, a place where I really didn't get a chance to show what I've got, and to get a victory is special for me. I just stayed patient, stayed professional.

"I knew in the end something good was going to happen for me. Whether it was this year or next year I just knew I was going to get my time to show what I can do."

On Friday, Hart was 6-of-10 from the field but made his biggest impact as a playmaker and on the glass. Mobley shot 9-of-20 from the floor, including 4-of-6 from the arc.

Los Angeles (35-37) holds the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, 1 1/2 games in front of Golden State (34-39).

"We've still got more games to go," Hart said. "We're focused. I thought we've been playing well lately and this was a big win for us because we dropped one against Houston. So this was a must win for us. I thought guys stepped up and responded."

The Kings (30-41) also are fighting for their playoff lives. They are 4 1/2 games behind the Clippers with 11 contests remaining.

"We can't keep saying we'll get them next time," Sacramento forward Corliss Williamson said. "We still have games left, but we have to start winning now. I think we felt the sense of urgency at the end of the game, but we definitely need to have that for the full 48 minutes, not just when the game is on the line."