A Royal Pain
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Game 41 Notes: Kings Keep Streak Alive, Beat Hawks At Home

By Gabe Callahan

Jan 21, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) and guard Rajon Rondo (9) celebrate after scoring against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Atlanta Hawks 91-88. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) and guard Rajon Rondo (9) celebrate after scoring against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Atlanta Hawks 91-88. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sacramento Kings (19-23) beat the Atlanta Hawks (26-18) last night for the first time since 2008, 91-88.  In a rare showing for the Kings they were able to grind out a win with a good defensive effort and a lot hustle.

It was the Sacramento’s most impressive win at home this year, despite poor shooting and no Rudy Gay. DeMarcus Cousins dominated in the paint. Rajon Rondo was the smartest guy on the court. Rookie Willie Cauley-Stein got his second straight double-double. And Ben McLemore might have been the X-factor, being aggressive on both sides of the floor.

Playing motivated and getting a win at Sleep Train Arena has been elusive lately for Sacramento, who seems more comfortable playing on the road. But the Kings have now extended their winning streak to 4 games, breaking a 15-game losing streak to Atlanta in the process. They now have two home games coming up.

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It wasn’t a pretty game for Sacramento. They shot 35.9 percent from the field. They played horrible transition defense. They committed 19 turnovers. The Kings second unit, which usually provides some offensive spark, just couldn’t seem to find the basket. They built a 17-point lead that they squandered.

With seconds to play, a Rajon Rondo lay-up, from a DeMarcus Cousins assist, put the Kings up. But it took two defensive stops, and made free-throws, by the Kings to put the game to bed.

Some game highlights include:

  • Cousins had game highs of 24 points, 15 rebounds, 1 technical foul
  • Rondo had 11 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds
  • Rondo’s triple-double is his fifth, tying Chris Webber for most in a season at Sacramento
  • Cauley-Stein had 12 points and 11 rebounds
  • Ben McLemore had 14 points, including a four-point play
  • Sacramento remains the eighth seed in the Western Conference.

For Atlanta, Paul Millsap had 14 points and 14 rebounds. Dennis Schroder scored 14 points and Al Horford and Kent Bazemore had 11. The Hawks were also on a three game win streak until last night’s loss.

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Quincy Acy usually provides a spark off the bench, and it was very evident last night how important his energy and hustle is to the Kings. Acy fights for every rebound and was drawing several loose-ball fouls from the Hawks late in the game.  It’s nice to hear the hometown fans recognize his play with huge applauses when he gets on the court.

The Kings were up by three with a little over a second left in the game. After a timeout, Atlanta had to inbound the ball and try to get a game-tying three-pointer. Rondo seems to predict the play and tries to set the Kings defense up to prevent a shot from going off. Rondo strategically places DeMarcus in the corner, apparently defending no one until Paul Millsap goes to that exact spot.  Despite a wide open Kyle Kover, Rondo’s plan pretty much worked. You can watch the video here.

The Kings next matcuup is against the Indiana Pacers this Saturday at home.

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