by Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings recorded their 50th loss of the season on Sunday night when they lost to the Utah Jazz 101-95. Frankly, the game was not as close as the score might imply.

The Kings appeared to “just not be into the game”. That may well not be the case, but that is how it looked. Words like sloppy and disjointed were used to describe the Kings performance or lack there of.

The game was mostly even through the first three quarters. Then in the fourth quarter, the Jazz proved they wanted the game more than the Kings.

Sacramento cut the Utah lead to just one point late in the fourth period. They then allowed the Jazz to go a 10-0 run that the Kings could not overcome.

DeMarcus Cousins had a 26 point, 12 rebound double-double night. The fans have come to expect a double-double from Cousins in every game. Rarely does he disappoint. He is second in the league in double-doubles.

Ben McLemore had a nice game. McLemore scored 20 points shooting eight for 12 from the field. He hit two 3-pointers in his 37-minutes of playing time.

The Kings were without Rudy Gay again who has not been cleared to play after suffering a concussion last Tuesday in Houston.

The glaring stat of the night was points from the bench. Utah’s bench added 42 points in the game. The Kings bench produced just 21 points.

Turnovers were a problem again for Sacramento. They committed 20 and recorded just 20 assists. A 1:1 ratio of assists to turnovers will not win you many basketball games.

The Kings shot 48.1-percent from the floor. They were five for 15 (33.3-percent) from 3-point land. The Kings had another bad night at the free throw line. They were 14 for 24 (58.3-percent) from the stripe. Sacramento’s season average has been 77.2-percent from the free throw line.

The Kings defense allowed the Jazz to shoot 40 for 87 (46.0-percent) from the field. They did hold the Jazz to just 33.3-percent (8 for 24) from 3-point range. Utah was 13 for 18 from the free throw line.

George Karl said his team had no offensive energy in the game. He was also not pleased with the Kings defensive effort. Karl said Utah should not have scored 101 points in the game. The Jazz average 94.7-points per game for the season.

Guard Rodney Hood led the Jazz in scoring with 25 points.

The Kings are off until Tuesday when they will host the Minnesota Timberwolves. Sacramento travels to Utah to face the Jazz on Wednesday.