A Royal Pain
Fansided

Game 78 Notes: Depleted Sacramento Kings Fall To Blazers

By Gabe Callahan

Apr 5, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) defends against Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) defends against Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Despite a strong first half, the shorthanded Sacramento Kings fell to the Portland Trailblazers 115-107 at Sleep Train Arena. Portland swept Sacramento in this year’s season series, winning all four of the games. After Tuesday’s loss, there are just two games left for the Kings to play, and win, at Sleep Train Arena.

Kings coach George Karl continued to rest players at the end of the season and let some of the younger players get a chance to play. Last night he decided to rest Darren Collison, Kosta Koufos, and starter Rudy Gay. Marco Belinelli sat out with a sore foot and Omri Casspi also did not play because of a strained hamstring.

Seth Curry and rookie Willie Cauley-Stein once again got a lot of playing time. Power forward Eric Moreland even saw six minutes of action.

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Even though DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo had a great night stuffing the box score, it wasn’t enough to get a win.

Once again Sacramento managed to only play three out of the four quarters. Cousins missed the previous two games. He was suspended for one game for receiving his 16th technical foul of the season, and he did not play in Saturday’s win at Denver. Cousins is not playing in any more road games this year.

He started last night’s game rested and had a strong first quarter scoring 16 points, shooting 7 of 8. He finished with 30 points and nine rebounds, and in doing so Cousins tied Mitch Richmond for the most 30-point games in a season in the Sacramento era.

Boogie was also called for his 17th technical foul in the fourth quarter. If he gets called for one more tech he is again automatically suspended for one game.

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Rajon Rondo set his own record with the most single-season triple doubles in the Sacramento era. Last night he tallied his sixth with 27 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. Chris Webber previously held the record.

Sacramento shot 63 percent in the first half and led 57-51. But the Blazers pulled away early in the fourth quarter and never gave up the lead. CJ McCollum tallied 30 points, Damian Lillard added 22 points and 8 assists, and Maurice Harkless grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds.

Ex-Kings Mike Bibby and Brian Grant attended the game. Oh, and a guy won a car by hitting a half-court shot. So, the night wasn’t a total bust.

The Kings host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday.

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