Photo credit: Glenn James

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings went to Dallas on Friday night looking to end a five game losing streak. In the association, the toughest place to attempt to break a losing streak is on the road. The road is brutal to visiting teams in the NBA. It was brutal to the Kings on Friday as they lost to Dallas 107-103.

The game versus the Mavericks was the sixth consecutive contest the Kings have played without the injured (ankle) DeMarcus Cousins. Sacramento is 0-6 without their star center in the lineup. Yes, they do miss their big man.

The number one problem for the Kings has been a lack of consistent defense. The Kings played strong defense in the first quarter holding the Mavericks to just 24 points. In the second quarter the defense broke down and Dallas scored 30 points. Sacramento came out in the third period and held the Mavs to just 21 points. But in the fourth quarter, the Kings’ defense went dormant as they allowed Dallas to put up 32 points. Head coach Michael Malone described his team as having “no defensive mindset” in the final quarter.

The Kings committed 14 turnovers to just 4 for the Mavericks. Dallas outscored the Kings in the paint 50-44. The Mavericks scored 16 fast break points to just 5 for the Kings. Michael Malone said, “It’s very hard to win on the road when you beat yourself.”

Sacramento shot 50.7% (38-75) from the field while Dallas shot just 47.5% (38-80). The Kings shot 87.0% (20-23) from the free throw line while the Mavericks shot 80.6% (29-36) from the stripe. The Kings out-rebounded the Mavs 39-37. Sacramento played a strong game. It was lapses of defense in the second and fourth quarters that cost them the game.

Rudy Gay led all scorers with 35 points on just 16 shots. He was 15 of 17 from the free throw line. Gay posted 12 rebounds giving him a double-double. Isaiah Thomas put up 19 points and dished out six assists in 42 minutes of playing time.

Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 34 points. He was 11 for 11 from the free throw line. Monta Ellis added 20 points. Jose Calderon scored 14 points while Brandan Wright put up 10 points.

The Mavericks’ record improved to 27-21 on the season with the win. The loss dropped the Kings’ record to 15-31.

Sacramento has no time rest and regroup as they have to play the Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday night. The Kings will need to play four quarters of defense just to stay in the game with the Spurs.