Game 48 Recap: Short-Handed Sacramento Kings Get Much Needed Win
By Rafe Wong
When the Sacramento Kings have not had the services of DeMarcus Cousins this season, they have earned a record of 1-7. The only win coming in Milwaukee against the Bucks.
The Kings were able to improve that record to 2-7 tonight, where again they defeated the Bucks 111-104.
Tonight where the Kings were without both Cousins and Ben McLemore, who tonight missed his first game of his professional career, they were able to manage the victory behind the efforts of Rajon Rondo and Rudy Gay.
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In the first half of the game, the Kings defense was subpar against a Bucks team that averages just 98.1 points per game. As a result, the Bucks scored a thumping 32 points in the first quarter and ended the half with a 56-53 lead.
The Kings, however, were able to make the adjustments necessary for the rest of the game to prevent the Bucks offense from remaining efficient. The Kings only surrendered 18 points to Milwaukee in the third quarter and 48 points total in the second half.
With the mix of the Kings playing better defense in the second half plus having a solid offensive effort in the fourth quarter, it was enough for the purple and white to complete a very much needed win, ending a once four-game losing streak.
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Top performers for Sacramento tonight were Rudy Gay who recorded 32 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists and Rajon Rondo who scored 19 points and distributed 7 assists.
Other notable Kings for tonight were Marco Belinelli who got out of his slump, at least for tonight, with 18 points and 6 assists, Omri Casspi who scored 13 points, and Darren Collison who scored 14 points.