Kings Win in OT on Carl Landry’s Put-Back

A game that required overtime and included a heroic put-back, ended in favor of the home town team. The Sacramento Kings (10-9) got a 102-101 victory over the visiting Indiana Pacers as Carl Landry‘s put-back would clinch the Kings victory. The team’s first in four attempts, without DeMarcus Cousins. The Kings’ offense was once again stale, heavy with isolation plays and lack of offensive movement, but they found a way to win.

After a blowing what seems like the 20th double-digit lead, the Kings fought back and prevailed, even with Rudy Gay, who finished with 27 points, five rebounds and five assists going cold in the second half for the most-part. The Kings had gone 0-14 without Cousins, dating back to last season, but will happily celebrate this one with the big-man. Cousins was in attendance tonight, but isn’t expected to suit up tomorrow, barring a late change.

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Decked in their 1951 Rochester Royals throwbacks, the Kings and Gay leaped out in front of the Pacers in the first quarter. Gay had a hand in 17 of the Kings first 24 points. 11 points and three assists, while Sac grabbed a double-digit lead on the visiting Indiana. The Pacers chopped the Kings 14-point lead to 10, but the Kings were able to stretch that back to 14 to end the period, 34-20. Darren Collison finished the quarter with nine points, four steals and three assists.

As the bench would be outplayed in the second quarter, the Pacers would trim the lead to two, after a 20-8 second-period run. The Pacers out-hustled the Kings reserves and the Kings couldn’t find any open shots. A lot of forced attempts turned into fast buckets for the Pacers. Of the Kings bench, Carl Landry was really the only one with any offense, scoring eight points in nine minutes.

As the starters returned, so did the Sacramento momentum. Collison took it from there, hitting 15-footers at will stretching the lead. Some rejuvenation on offense paired with tough defensive clamps from the Kings got the ball back in their royal court as they closed the quarter with an 8-0 run and a 56-45 lead.

The Kings defense wasn’t as stout in the third quarter, but the Kings were able to hold the Pacers off, heading to the fourth quarter with an 80-72 advantage. Through three periods, the Kings held the Pacers to 37% shooting. The reason for Indiana only being down eight was in large part due to their bench, who outperformed the Kings bench and hung around with the Kings starters in the period. Through three, the Pacers bench had outscored Sac’s 37-16.

And what’s a Kings game without some fourth-quarter stress? The Kings once again had to find a way to win without Cousins and after multiple failed attempts at closing out games, the Kings would have another opportunity. A Pacers run led by David West would bring the Pacers close. With a two-point lead with less than two minutes left, the Kings still had the game in their hands.

A long minute and a half eventually led to the game heading to overtime as the Kings and Pacers had a chance to win it at the end but failed to do so.

An overtime that began with buckets from Collison and Gay, ended up with the Pacers answering back and taking a one-point lead on a CJ Watson bucket. Carl Landry would be the hero in this one, though, giving the Kings an invaluable W without Cousins. Landry finished with 14 of the Kings’ 26 bench points.

Next for the Kings are the Orlando Magic tomorrow at Sleep Train.