NBA -- Kings lose OT thriller to Mavs

SACRAMENTO -- Just when the Kings were beginning show some sliver of hope in their slipping season, they fell into another unwanted slump.

Hosting the equally-struggling Dallas Mavericks Thursday night at the Sleep Train Arena, the Kings lost in a 117-112 overtime thriller. It was Sacramento's third straight defeat and at 13-23 in the standings. the Kings are at a point where each defeat makes a possible playoffs appearance increasingly implausible.

This defeat was especially more heartbreaking since the Kings were comfortably ahead late in the third quarter, 71-54. Plus, the Mavericks came in Sacramento with a four-game losing streak, including a grim 0-for-7 slate in overtime games this season.

But the Mavericks, thanks to a combined 47 points from O.J. Mayo and the resurgent Vince Carter, were able to put things together against the Kings. Shawn Marion added 19 points and 10 rebounds while Dirk Nowitzki, who is slowly coming back from offseason surgery, finished with 17 and nine rebounds.

"Certain match-ups didn't go to our favor. It was crucial at the beginning of the fourth quarter. But it is what it is. We're all professionals. I just think we kind of had bad mismatches for them and stuff like that," said Kings forward Jason Thompson as he tried to explain his team's recent debacle to the Sacramento Bee.

Kings center DeMarcus Cousins had a spectacular 29 points nine rebounds and four assists. But he negated all that we was was ejected in the final 41.9 seconds of overtime after his forearm on Vince Carter's mug was ruled by the officials as flagrant 2 foul.

"I'm pretty sure that my reputation will come into play with the decision, but hopefully they realize that it wasn't intentional," Cousins said.

Cousins' ejection rewarded Carter with two free throws plus ball possession for Dallas. Carter calmly sank the freebies which gave the Mavericks a 113-109 cushion. (AMJR)

Photo: The frustrated Kings continue to navigate a difficult 13-23 season.