The Sacramento Kings (22-42) had every opportunity to put away the 76ers (16-50) tonight in Philadelphia and didn’t. Sacramento squandered an 18-point third quarter lead and fell to 76ers by the final of 114-107.
DeMarcus Cousins put on a show, finishing with 39 points and 24 rebounds in 40 minutes of action. The All-Star center shot 12-for-24 from the field and 15-of-20 from the line, but it wasn’t enough to pick up the victory. Rudy Gay added 24 points and Derrick Williams chipped in 15 as the Kings dropped to 2-5 on their eight-game road trip.
Join James Ham and Rui Thomas for the Road Reaction Postgame Show on Google+ after the game. The show can be watched on the video player embedded below. You can also join the discussion of tonight’s game by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYCNX9mAaBA]What to watch
1. Guarding the arc
The 76ers make the fewest field goals per game in the NBA, but they manage to compete with the 3-ball. They rank 10th in attempts and 12th in makes from behind the arc, which plays into one of the Kings’ biggest weaknesses. Not to forget, new 76ers point guard Isaiah Canaan hit 6-of-10 triples against the Kings as a member of the Rockets on November 26.
2. Battle for the ball
Philadelphia tops the league in steals per contest with 9.8, but they also lead the association in opponents’ steals. Sacramento is nearly as sloppy with the ball but struggles to force turnovers, averaging only 6.5 steals a match. Coach George Karl wants the Kings to take more chances intercepting passing lanes, which makes tonight a good time to start.
3. T-Rob time
Kings draft bust Thomas Robinson once again takes on his former club, now as a member of the 76ers. Robinson has played in all eight games since he was acquired off waivers, and is averaging 8.5 points and 8.4 rebounds (3.4 offensive) in 17.1 minutes off the bench. The Kansas product will be fired up to say the least.
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