The Sacramento Kings (25-37) had a 17 point lead in the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans (24-38) last night. The Kings then had 10 point lead with 6 mins to go left in the game. Sacramento ultimately let the win slip through their fingers in New Orleans, 115-112.
Oh, you’ve heard this story before?
For 12 minutes in the 2nd quarter, the Kings played something that resembled defense.
The Pelicans couldn’t cover DeMarcus Cousins, and committed 15 turnovers in the first half. Rudy Gay and Rajon Rondo had productive games. The Kings should have won last night in Smoothie King Arena.
But the Kings are now in the homestretch of an inconsistent season, where it looks like another year will go by without a trip to the playoffs.
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If one thing has been consistent this season, it’s their ability to blow a lead of 15-or-more points.
DeMarcus Cousins led all scorers with 40 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. Rajon Rondo got his 31st double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 assists. Rudy Gay had 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The Kings “Big Three” had a good game. For much of the second quarter, Gay did a solid job defending Anthony Davis. But none of this matters if the Kings disappear down the stretch.
Pelicans closed out the game on a 7-0 run. The Kings committed seven turnovers and were outscored 32-23 in the fourth quarter. By the end, Sacramento gave up 24 points off of 22 turnovers.
Darren Collison, who has been good off the bench lately, had 6 of those turnovers. Sloppy ball-handling has plagued the Kings all year long, and it was never more evident than in the fourth quarter in New Orleans.
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All-Star Anthony Davis had 31 points. Twenty-three of those points came in the second half. Jrue Holiday had 20 points and matched Rondo’s 10 assists. Norris Cole finished with 23 points. Dante Cunningham made a clutch (and wide open) 3-pointer to give the Pelicans their first lead of the second half with less than a minute to play.
The Kings need to quickly regroup after such a disappointing loss because they are hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday night at Sleep Train Arena.