Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - DeMarcus Cousins had 18 points, 16
rebounds and six assists to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 97-94 win over
the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on Wednesday.
Cousins, who posted a triple-double on Sunday, has been superb for the
Kings since returning from a two-game suspension for violating team
rules, averaging 16.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per contest.
Jason Thompson also recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 boards and
Francisco Garcia added 14 points for the Kings, who won on the road
for just the second time this season.
Kyrie Irving poured in 22 points and dished out six assists and Dion Waiters
added 20 points off the bench for the Cavaliers, who have won just three of
their last 17 games.
The Kings held a 74-71 lead entering the fourth quarter, but the Cavs scored
six straight points to go up 77-76. A 6-2 Sacramento run gave the Kings an
83-79 spread with just over seven minutes left.
The teams traded blows until a personal 4-0 run from Irving put Cleveland
ahead 90-89 with 1:12 remaining.
John Salmons buried a triple and Aaron Brooks dropped in a layup to give the
Kings a 94-90 advantage with just 18.2 ticks left.
Irving responded with a jumper to cut the deficit to two points, but the Cavs
were forced to foul Jimmer Fredette who knocked down a pair of free throws to
put Sacramento up 96-92. Waiters cleaned up a Tyler Zeller miss on the ensuing
possession to make it 96-94 with 3.2 seconds to go.
Brooks was immediately fouled on the inbounds pass, but split the subsequent
free throws and Irving's desperation heave from beyond midcourt rimmed out at
the buzzer.
Sacramento led 28-25 after the first 12 minutes, but Cleveland outscored the
Kings 28-24 in the second to take a 53-52 lead into the break.
Sacramento held the Cavs shot just 28 percent from the field in the third
period to take a 74-71 lead into the final quarter.
GAME NOTES:
Sacramento outscored the Cavs 52-36 in the paint ... Brooks finished with 13
points for the Kings ... The Cavs shot a dismal 39.1 percent (34-for-87_ from
the field but went 21-for-24 from the free throw line.
The Sports Network