Eric Gordon saves the game for the Clippers

When the Sacramento Kings came back from a 17-point first half deficit, Eric Gordon was left baffled.

"I just didn't get it," he said. "We were so lackadaisical."

So he decided to take matters into his own hands.

After scoring only six points in the first half, Gordon finished with a game-high 29 points, including a three-pointer with the score tied at 91 and only 47.5 seconds remaining.

"I get tougher towards the second half," Gordon said. "Sometimes we lose focus in the second half, that's why I try to pick it up."

Gordon's late-night effort galvanized the Clippers, helping them snap a two-game losing streak with a  98-91 victory Monday at Staples Center.

Said Blake Griffin: "He was huge. We just played off of him."

Gordon said he was not about to let his team lose to the Kings, not considering the Clippers' next adversary.

"We play the Lakers Wednesday," Gordon said. "So we definitely needed this one."

--Melissa Rohlin

Photo: Clippers guard Eric Gordon gets down the lane for a dunk against the Kings on Monday night at Staples Center. Credit: Jae C. Hong / Associated Press