By Jeff Hall
SACRAMENTO –
It was the Tale of two halves between the Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans had the better half defeating the Kings 106-100 in front of 16,526 at Sleep Train Arena.
The Kings got off to another hot start in the first quarter against the Pelicans. And took a 27-20 lead. Jason Thompson scored 10 points to lead all scorers in the first.. DeMarcus Cousins scored 6 points and had 6 rebounds in the opening period.
The Kings play stayed consistent in the second quarter where the Kings out scored the Pelicans 27-25 to take a 54-45 lead at the half. The Kings played solid defensive play in the first half, but the Kings began to break down defensively and get sloppy with ball handling at the end of he first half and in the 3rd quarter allowing the Pelicans to get back into the game.
DeMarcus Cousins Led the Kings with 24 points and 17 rebounds. But again,Cousin’s performance is not enough for the Kings to get a vicotory
After the game DeMarcus said “the team completely broke down on defense. We gave the team life and we let Ryan Anderson get going. We gave them life towards the end of the game and they took advantage of it”
But the second half looked like a familiar Kings game. The Pelicans outscored the Kings 31-17 in the 3rd quarter and 31-30 in the final period.Former Sacramento Basketball stars were strong for the Pelicans. Former Kings player Tyreke Evans scored 18 points 5 of 11 from the field and Jesuit High Grad and Cal player Ryan Anderson scored 22 points. Anderson was 9 of 17 from the field including 4 3 pointers where the Kings failed to defend him beyond the arc.
Another strong player Anthony Davis led all scorers with 28 points for the Pelicans
The Pelicans have won 3 of their last 4 games and improve their record to 6-4, the Kings record is now 6-5.
Game Notes: The Kings announced they have signed Rudy Gay to a contract extension throught the 2017-2018 season.
If you build it they will come. The 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament – aka March Madness – will be held in Sacramento. The last time the tournament visited Sacramento was in 2007
Sports Radio Service 