SAN FRANCISCO -- When the host Sacramento Kings squared off against the visiting Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night at the Sleep Train Arena, all signs pointed to another disaster. The Kings entered the game losing five in a row while the Lakers hit town with a three game winning spree.
But there is something about the Lakers that brings the best out of the Kings, who scored a huge upset by beating L.A., 113-97.
The Kings pulled the shocker by nailing 44 of 81 field goals and seven of 15 threes. The Kings also controlled the boards, 41-33, and convincingly won the assists battle, 21-16. Also, the Kings took better care of the ball, making only 16 turnovers against the Lakers, who coughed it 20 times.
The Kings held only to a shaky 73-69 advantage after three quarters and it took a 40-point fourth quarter outburst to put away the stubborn Lakers.
Marcus Thornton led a parade of Kings who scored in double figures with 23. Tyreke Evans had 18 while John Salmons. Jason Thompson and Aaron Brooks each had 13. Foul trouble lmited big man DeMarcus Cousins to 21 minutes of play and managed only seven points and eight rebounds but back-up center Chuck Hayes picked up some of the slack with 10 points and five rebounds.
Kobe Bryant paced all scorers with 38 points but the Lakers offense lacked the balance that characterized their recent winning streak. Jodie Meeks finished with 15 and Metta World Peace had 13 but no other Lakers broke the 10-point barrier. (Ryan Medida)
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