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Clippers blow 18-point lead in final 5 minutes to Kings at home

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

Maybe the Los Angeles Clippers just can't escape their reputations as chokers.

The little brothers of L.A. lost yet another game in heart-breaking fashion, squandering an 18-point lead in the final five minutes - the first team in 360 games this season to do so - for a 98-97 loss at home to the Sacramento Kings.

Paul Pierce drilled a pull-up jumper with 5:16 remaining to give the Clippers a 94-76 lead. But the offense completely shriveled up from thereon, and poor shots led to easy transition baskets for the Kings which fueled the comeback.

Willie Cauley-Stein made a putback with two seconds left to complete a 22-3 run for the Kings that gave Sacramento the lead.

Chris Paul had a wide-open look at an 18-footer at the buzzer with his team down one, but his shot hit back iron.

The Clippers have dropped five of their last nine games to slip behind the Utah Jazz for fifth in the West.

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