CLIPPERS SNAP SKID VS. KINGS L.A. DEFEATS SACRAMENTO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 14 GAMES CLIPPERS 102, SACRAMENTO 93.

Byline: RICH HAMMOND  Staff Writer

Ron Artest made his season debut at Staples Center on Friday, as had been rumored in recent days.

Many believed, though, that Artest would be a member of the Clippers, as part of a deal that would have sent Corey Maggette to Sacramento, but the teams seemed prepared to move forward without a trade.

So Artest dressed in the gaudy, gold road uniforms that the Kings featured, and the Clippers set out to end a nasty streak against the Kings. The Clippers had lost 14 consecutive games to the Kings, dating almost four years, but brought that to an end with a 102-93 victory in front of an announced crowd of 18,505.

Maggette, who might leave town any day, gave the Clippers a great effort as he came off the bench for 21 points and seven rebounds, and helped the Clippers beat the Kings for the first time since Jan. 18, 2003.

``There's no better time than now,'' Elton Brand said. ``We've been struggling so that's a big win for us. Everybody likes to talk about last year, but (beating the Kings) was something we never did last year.''

After a close first half, the Clippers trailed by one point early in the third quarter when they went on a 17-5 run, keyed by four consecutive jumpers by Brand that gave them a 67-56 lead. Brand scored 10 of his game- high 22 points in the third quarter, as the Clippers opened up a 16-point lead. The Kings pulled within seven points in the fourth quarter but never seriously threatened.

``We were aggressive,'' coach Mike Dunleavy said. ``In the beginning we made some mistakes and let guys get layups on us, but we talked about it at halftime and did a better job of taking those away.''

With general manager Elgin Baylor settled into his courtside seat, the Clippers went another day without a trade, although attempts to move Maggette are still being made and could happen at any time.

But the Clippers had more immediate concerns. Their run of futility against the Kings was odd, given how well they have played in the past two-plus seasons.

Things looked shaky early when Shaun Livingston picked up two fouls in three minutes and the Kings scored eight of the game's first 10 points, but the Clippers won consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 5. They have also won three of four, a nice turnaround after a six-game losing streak.

``We're playing much better ball,'' Brand said. ``I wasn't worried. I knew it would turn around eventually and it's starting to turn now.''

Sacramento's dribble penetration, executed particularly well by Kevin Martin, gave the Clippers some trouble in the opening minutes, but they held a slim lead for most of the first half.

Quinton Ross' driving layup gave the Clippers a one-point lead after the first quarter, and they eventually pushed their advantage to six points when Aaron Williams' short jumper made the score 35-29. Sacramento chipped away throughout the second quarter, but the Clippers led 46-45 at halftime.

``There were times when it felt like we were giving the game back,'' Livingston said, ``but we played good defense. It's just good to get the monkey off our back (against the Kings).''

After an early-season stretch in which he appeared to be fatigued, Brand is turning it on. Typically a strong inside presence, Brand had only five rebounds against the Kings but did his damage with mid-range jumpers, particularly in the second half. It was Brand's third consecutive 20-point game.

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