Game 59 Notes: Sacramento Kings Come Up Short In Memphis
The Sacramento Kings (24-35) lost their fourth game in a row Wednesday night in Memphis against the Grizzlies (36-24). After being down by 21 points in the first half the Kings were able to come back to briefly take the lead in the fourth only to fall in the end, 98-104.
After a competitive first quarter, the Kings scored only 15 points in the second. After halftime, Sacramento played with more urgency and outscored Memphis 35-24 in the third.
The Kings then took the lead in the fourth, 91-88, only to have Mike Conley to make some clutch shots down the stretch and seal the win for Memphis.
Even though Memphis scored over 100 points, the Kings seemed to be more active on the defensive end, at least challenging the Memphis guards.
It was their offense that seemed to sputter against the gritty Memphis defence, especially early on. It was the shooting of Darren Collison that helped keep them somewhat in the game in the first half.
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Collison scored 17 points coming off the bench. DeMarcus Cousins led the Kings with 18 points and 16 rebounds. Marco Belinelli had 16 points, on 7-of-15 shooting, and four assists.
Omri Casspi scored 12 points and Quincy Acy dropped 11 for the Kings. Mike Conley scored 24 clutch points for the Grizzlies, along with 19 points from Zach Randolph, and 15 points off the bench from Mario Chalmers.
Notable Notes from last night’s game include:
- Marco Belinelli scored 11 of his points in the fourth quarter
- JaMychal Green Scored 15 Points, a career high
- The Kings had 25 turnovers that led to 29 points for Memphis
- DeMarcus Cousins had seven of those turnovers
- Grizzlies shot just 44.3 percent
- In the second quarter, Memphis outscored Sacramento 28-15
- Rajon Rondo had 17 assists
Wille Cauley-Stein also had a lot of energy off the bench for the Kings, including this poster dunk on Z-Bo.
Currently unemployed coach Tom Thibodeau practised with the Kings before the game, only in a consultant role. The defensive minded coach is said to stay with the team through Saturday.
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Rudy Gay missed his second consecutive game with a sprained right shoulder. Seth Curry also sat out with a sprained right foot, one game after scoring a career-high.
Rajon Rondo left the game briefly in the fourth quarter because of an ankle injury. He ended up briefly coming back in the game but is doubtful for their matchup in Dallas against the Mavericks.