With so much uncertainty in the air, the Sacramento Kings cleared some of that air tonight against a very talented Detroit Pistons team 101-92.
Now some of the players will be able to breathe fresh air and get some sleep after breaking the painful six-game losing streak they were on. Rajon Rondo was one of the catalysts that helped the Kings end the streak.
He finished with 14 points, 15 dimes and 11 rebounds, making it his second triple-double in a Kings uniform. His running partner DeMarcus Cousins also had a great performance as he finished with 33 points and nine rebounds.
“The best thing that came out of the meeting? This win,” Cousins said. “But I’ll take the hit. If it results from this every night, I’ll take the hit and I’ll be the scapegoat.”
After multiple reports were released today on whether or not Cousins had cursed at George Karl and Cousins going to Vlade Divac to give him an ultimatum of seeking a trade or firing the coach, Karl seemed very relaxed and had plenty of great quotes for the media.
“I’m not sure a panic button was pushed as you all magnified it,” Karl said. “Team meetings and a six-game losing streaks happen. The newness to our team? I don’t know. But I thought the last two days have been good for us.”
Cousins came out firing as he scored 15 points in the first quarter, which jump-started his dominant performance and that became a huge headache for the Pistons. He was a force inside and hit four 3-pointers and 11-of-21 shots, which makes this game his most efficient of the young season. He finished with a plus 15 in player efficiency.
The Kings’ effort on defense was so much better tonight and if it continues, then the victories will come because this team can obviously score.
The Kings showed a lot of character down the stretch as the Pistons had cut the lead to five points. The Kings responded with six consecutive and never looked back. Those are the things good teams do and hopefully these guys will begin to buy into Karl’s system because all Karl has done is win games and if that doesn’t motivate you, then I don’t know what will.
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