By Morris Phillips
SACRAMENTO–Could rookie lottery pick Willie Cauley-Stein and D-League product Seth Curry be cornerstones for the Kings’ future in Golden One Arena?
If so, the possibility took flight in the Kings’ 114-98 rout of the Suns that ended the team’s seven-game skid at Sleep Train Arena on Friday night. Cauley-Stein came off the bench to score a career-best 26 points, and Curry contributed 12 in his first NBA starting assignment.
Cauley-Stein, labeled a plus defender with little offensive skill, took advantage of the Suns’ depleted frontcourt with clever footwork and jump shot that extended to the three-point arc. The rookie from Kentucky hit 11 of his first 17 shots. With his teammates howling encouragement, and the Kings comfortably ahead in the final minutes, Cauley-Stein missed his final two attempts from beyond the arc.
“When your teammates are telling you to score, shoot threes when you ain’t shot a three in your whole life, that’s cool,” Cauley-Stein said. “I’m really thankful for them.”
While Cauley-Stein concluded his stint Friday with a world of confidence, Curry started the evening looking to find his bearings. Steph’s younger brother missed his first four shots before canning four of his final six, finishing with 12 points.
“I had my rhythm, I just wasn’t making shots,” Curry said.
The Kings took control in the second quarter with a 33-point outburst that gave them a 58-48 lead at the half. They hadn’t won at home since February 19, a 116-110 decision over Denver.
DeMarcus Cousins led the Kings with 29 points, 11 rebounds in just 28 minutes of floor time. Rajon Rondo added 12 assists, setting the club record for assists in a season with his 789th. Marco Belinelli was felled by a foot injury during the game, and missed the entire second half.
While the Kings showed glimpses of their future, the Suns find themselves in full rebuild mode with rookie Devin Booker ranking as their leading scorer at almost 13 points a game. Booker led Phoenix with 26 points on Friday, but committed nine turnovers and picked up a technical foul in the second quarter when he got tangled up with Cousins.
The Suns shot just 37 percent from the field for the game, the 21st time this season they’ve made fewer than 40 percent of their shots as a team. Phoenix was without point guard Eric Bledsoe and frontcourt scorer T.J. Warren. Center Tyson Chandler and Brandon Knight were also late scratches paving the way for the Kings to break their long home losing skid.
The Kings continue their home stand on Sunday when the Dallas Mavericks make their final visit to Sleep Train Arena.
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