I usually save the game highlights for later in the post, but the Sacramento Kings’ (20-23) win last night over the Indiana Pacers (23-21) warrants the highlights to be moved up. The final score was 108-97. The highlights include:
- DeMarcus Cousins scored a career-high 48 points
- Rajon Rondo set a single season record for triple-doubles, with 6
- Willie Cauley-Stein grabbed 12 rebounds
- Cousins had 20 free throw attempts
- Sacramento swept the season series against Indiana
- The Kings have won 5 in a row
The Kings are a better team with Cousins on the court, and when he is playing well, the rest of the team follows. He is having one heck of a January, scoring at least 30 points in eight games this month, and the Kings have been wining because of it. The fans at Sleep Train Arena let him know they appreciate his efforts with “MVP” chants. He also pulled down 13 rebounds last night.
Cousins got a technical in the fourth quarter, which brought his season total to 9. Coach Geroge Karl also picked up a tech in the third quarter, and had to be held back by his assistant coaches. It’s nice to see Coach Karl fired up.
More from Kings News
- 3 Ways Chris Duarte improves the Kings chances in 2023-24
- Bleacher Report crazily lists Kings’ All-Star as “most overrated NBA player”
- Kings and Heat fans clash on Twitter to debate All-Star players
- Sacramento Kings’ Chris Duarte playing in 2023 FIBA World Cup
- 3 Young players the Kings must develop, 2 to give up on
Sacramento set the tone of the game by quickly by going up 7-0 in the beginning of the first quarter and didn’t look back. They led the entire game, by as much as 14 points in the first half. Darren Collison had a solid game off the bench and contributed to 11 straight points by the Kings that put them up 97-89 in the fourth.
The Kings didn’t take care of the ball like they should with 14 turnovers. And they didn’t really contain Paul George. Both of which we said would be keys to a win against the Pacers. But when Boogie scores 48, you can let some things slide. Plus it helps when you have a rookie that can block a shot at one end and hustle for a slam at the other:
Indiana was led by Paul George’s 34 points, 14 of those came in the fourth quarter. Monta Ellis added 16 points and Myles Turner racked up 5 blocks.
More from A Royal Pain
- 3 Ways Chris Duarte improves the Kings chances in 2023-24
- 5 Players the Sacramento Kings never should have signed
- Bleacher Report crazily lists Kings’ All-Star as “most overrated NBA player”
- Kings and Heat fans clash on Twitter to debate All-Star players
- Sacramento Kings’ Chris Duarte playing in 2023 FIBA World Cup
Rajon Rondo had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He now holds the single-season record for most triple doubles in the Sacramento era. Rondo also now has 11 games with at least 10 or more assists, the longest streak in Sacramento history.
Rudy Gay missed his second straight game with a bruised heel. The Kings host the Charlotte Hornets at Sleep Train Arena on Monday.