By George Devine, Sr.

In another game where neither team scored in triple digits, the Kings went down on the road. This time Rudy Gay joined in the action for 32:17 but only scored 5 points. He is recovering from the flu, which sidelined him in Friday’s loss at Boston, 99-89. This time it appeared he would be well enough to make a major contribution, but in fact he only achieved approximately 25% of his typical production. The Kings are 0-4 with Gay absent, not only due to the recent flu but previously on account of an ankle injury.

The other key to the game was the defense of Washington, led by Nene, who had not only 3 blocks but 18 points. This meant that Sacramento came up 9 points short despite an above-par 86% from the free throw line (down a tad from Friday’s 91.7%) and an advantage in rebounds, 49 to the Wizards’ 38. But on field goals the Kings trailed, 43%-35% and especially on three-pointers where the margin was a staggering 38%-18%. The long ball plus the “D” made enough difference to get Washington back to the .500 mark against the visitors, whose win-loss percentage is approaching the batting average of a successful MLB player.

Isaiah Thomas led the Kings with 30 points and had 8 assists. DeMarcus Cousins had 14 points, with 12 boards and 2 blocks. For the Wizards, 16 points were scored by Bradley Beal, including a pair of treys in the last six minutes of the game. Marcin Gortat scored 17 points and had 8 rebounds.

The Kings outscored the Wizards in the final period, 20-18 and in the third, 19-18, but their slim advantage after halftime was insufficient given the home team’s lead in each of the first two quarters.

The next game for the Kings is on Tuesday, February 11 vs. Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena. Tipoff is at 4:00 p.m. PST.