by Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings battled the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday afternoon but lost the game 110-99. The Kings overcame deficits as large as 17 points to pull within one point of tying the game in the fourth quarter but ultimately could not overcome the size and talent of the Trail Blazers.

The Kings (20-37) were without DeMarcus Cousins and Darren Collison again on Sunday. Sacramento is now 2-12 when Cousins is not in the lineup. Portland (39-19) used their size to take advantage of the Kings having to play without their big center in the game.

The Kings trailed the Blazers 87-75 after three quarters. The Kings went on 13-2 run to erase Portland’s big lead. It was a one point Trail Blazers lead with 8:23 to play in the game. Portland fought back with strong play from Robin Lopez, Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge to maintain the lead and preserve the win.

Sacramento was led by the play of Derrick Williams and Andre Miller in the final period. Williams scored 13 points in the fourth quarter. Miller dished out five of his 10 assists in the final quarter. You will see more Williams and Miller on the floor together with the type of chemistry they demonstrated.

“I was impressed. We didn’t have much going after the first couple of quarters and even the third quarter. Andre (Miller) did a good job getting us some easy baskets. There was enthusiasm, but they are a very good team. They are a very good shooting team and execute real well, ” said Kings Head Coach George Karl.

The game was one big runs by the Trail Blazers followed by comebacks by the Kings. Portland led by as many as 17 points. The Kings could have given up, blamed their loss on not having Cousins available and limped out of town on their eight game road trip. They did not give up. The Kings showed tenacity and skill in giving the Blazers a real old fashion NBA batlle.

Rudy Gay was the Kings leading scorer with 24 points. Derrick Williams put up 18 points. Guards Ben McLemore, Ray McCallum and Andre Miller all scored 12 points each. Miller recorded a double-double with his 10 assists.

Sacramento shot 45.3-percent (39 for 86) from the field but connected on just three of 12 3-point shot attempts (25.0-percent). They shot 78.3-percent (18 for 23) from the free throw line.

The most impressive stat of the night was the Kings assist to turnover ratio of 2:1. They dished out 24 assists and turned the ball over just 12 times. That marks real improvement in both statistical areas.

The Trail Blazers were led in scoring by Damian Lillard (31) and LaMarcus Aldridge (26). Aldridge posted his 30th double-double by adding 15 rebounds to his 26 points. Wesley Matthews scored 17 points while Robin Lopez added 15.

Portland shot 49.4-percent (41 for 83) from the floor. They burned the Kings hitting on 10 of 24 3-point shots (41.7-percent). The Blazers helped themselves at the charity stripe hitting on 18 of 20 tries (90.0-percent).

The Trail Blazers outrebounded the Kings 43-33.

The victory gave Portland a 2-1 win in the season series with the Kings.

Cousins and Collison Update

DeMarcus Cousins did come out on the floor for a light shoot-around prior to the game. The Kings are cautiously optimistic about his availability versus the Knicks in New York City on Tuesday evening.

Collison will be in Philadelphia on Monday for a medical evaluation. He is expected to have surgery on his hip flexor on Tuesday.

Coming up

The Kings now embark on a brutal eight game road that begins in New York City on Tuesday night. That is a make up game for the contest that was postponed in January due to a blizzard in the New York area.

The Kings will fly to San Antonio on Tuesday night for a Wednesday game with the Spurs.

The Kings will also visit Orlando, Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. on the trip.