Photo Credit: Ed Szczepanski, USA TODAY Sports
By Pearl Allison Lo
On a night when the Sacramento Kings’ fans set two Guinness world records, Detroit got their first win in five games in a 97-90 win Friday.
A well-rounded Josh Smith led the Pistons as the Kings’ supporters created the “Loudest Crowd Roar at an Indoor Sports Stadium.”
Smith had 21 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals and 4 blocks.
Sacramento crushed the previous Guinness World Record of 106.6 decibels by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2008, soaring to a sound of 124.9 decibels in the first half, and then surpassing themselves in the second half with a record of 126 decibels.
DeMarcus Cousins led the Kings with a double-double, scoring 26 points with 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks. Detroit’s Andre Drummonds, whose sprained ankle put his status as uncertain before the game, was the only other player to have a double-double with 15 points and 18 rebounds.
The Pistons’ consistently strong three quarters set the pace for their win.
Detroit received the lead 16 seconds into the game with a two-pointer by Greg Monroe and held it throughout the first quarter until Ben McLemore tied the game at 34 with 8:41 left to go in the 2nd period.
Two turnovers and a foul gave the Pistons their largest lead (9 points) within that stretch, as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 5 points within less than 30 seconds. A three by John Salmons put the game within four, but McLemore missed a flying dunk and Cousins lost the ball out of bounds.
After Sacramento’s third tie, they got their first lead with 4:52 left in the first half, as Cousins made a consecutive shot. However, it was also short-lived as Monroe followed up with a basket. He then missed a free throw but also stole the ball, which eventually resulted in two points by Josh Smith and then a free throw. This was part of a 10-1 run since the tie right before the Kings short lead, which also featured Rodney Stuckey hitting two technicals and a three-pointer.
With 1:19 left in the first half, Sacramento got a 51-50 lead upon a three by Isaiah Thomas. However, Jonas Jerebko then tied it with a free throw and Detroit got the lead back after two fouls and a turnover by the Kings.
Greivis Vasquez’s second three in a row put the Kings back ahead 64-62 with 5:05 left in the 3rd. The teams then went back and forth until a three by Brandon Jennings with 4:18 left in the 3rd put the Pistons ahead for good. As part of a 14-4 run, Detroit finished the 3rd with a 10 point, 80-70 lead. Stuckey hit another technical, Drummonds had 6 points, Smith had 2 blocks and both Drummonds and Smith worked hard along the glass.
The closest Sacramento got afterwards was reflected in the final score, despite the Pistons going scoreless the last 2:28 of the game.
Game notes: Thomas, Stuckey and Detroit’s Kyle Singler contributed double-digit points off the bench. Fast break points and points in the paint for the Pistons and the Kings were reflected as 24-16 and 46-34. Sacramento next plays the Memphis Grizzlies at 3pm PST.
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