It seems glaringly obvious to say that the Cleveland Cavaliers (45-18) scored more points than the Sacramento Kings (25-38) in their 120-111 win at Sleep Train Arena Wednesday night. But that’s pretty much what happened.
The Kings played hard for three-quarters, and overall competed well against one of the best teams in the NBA. But they had some mental lapses late in the game that Cleveland took full advantage of.
Sacramento had an eleven point lead at one point. They outplayed the Cavs in several box score stats. But, once again, the Kings defense was their downfall. You can’t win if you give up 120 points in four quarters. In the end, the Cavs just scored more points than the Kings.
Sacramento led 60-54 at halftime and increased it to an 11-point lead early in the third. But in the final minutes, Cleveland went on an 11-3 run to close out the game. That scoring run included a 4-point play by Kevin Love when Darren Collison fouled him.
DeMarcus Cousins finished with 29 points and 11 rebounds. He also received his 15th technical foul of the season. If Boogie, the NBA leader in techs, gets one more technical he will get a one-game suspension by the NBA.
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With 19 games left in the season, you can probably bet on that happening. Seriously, I think you can bet on it in Vegas.
Rudy Gay scored 19 points and Darren Collison tallied 15 for the Kings.
Caron Butler played for the first time in over two months. He was hot off the bench in the second quarter scoring a quick seven points. Butler was not played for the rest of the game. I guess we will see him in another two months.
LeBron James made his NBA debut in Sacramento, at what was then called Arco Arena. Wednesday night was the last time he will play in the now called Sleep Train Arena.
Word is, he has requested a piece of the court as a souvenir after they shut the building down. James finished the night with 25 points and 11 rebounds.
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Kyrie Irving scored 30 points. Tristan Thompson had a solid game against Cousins with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Kevin Love Struggled from the three-point-line, but he ended up with 17 points and 10 boards.
According to the Sacramento Bee, Kings coach and two-time cancer survivor George Karl is having a medical procedure Thursday that is related to his throat cancer. He will at the very least miss that day’s practice.
The Kings’ homestand continues against the Orlando Magic on Friday.