The Kings make 15 straight shots to beat the Rockets 120-111
The Kings make 15 straight shots to beat the Rockets 120-111
Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) shoots over Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) shoots over Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, left, drives past Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) argues with referee John Goble after an official’s call during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) Keegan Murray, and Malik Monk guard Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks passes over Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) shoots over Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) shoots over Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) shoots over Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) shoots over Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, left, drives past Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, left, drives past Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) argues with referee John Goble after an official’s call during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) argues with referee John Goble after an official’s call during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) Keegan Murray, and Malik Monk guard Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) Keegan Murray, and Malik Monk guard Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks passes over Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks passes over Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Domantas Sabonis scored 27 points and Sacramento made 15 straight shots from the field to beat Houston 120-111 on Tuesday night and deny the Rockets the top seed in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
The shooting spree by the Kings turned an eight-point deficit late in the second quarter into a 12-point lead midway through the third to give the Kings their only win in four NBA Cup games.
De’Aaron Fox added 22 points, Malik Monk had 17 points and a career-high 12 assists, and DeMar DeRozan scored 16.
The Rockets won their first three games in the NBA Cup and could have clinched the top seed in the West with a win over the Kings. Houston will host Golden State in the quarterfinals.
Jalen Green scored 28 to lead Houston and Alperen Sengun added 24.
Takeaways
Rockets: Houston had won three straight and 10 of 12 games before delivering a dud against Sacramento. The frustration led to coach Ime Udoka and Sengun getting ejected late in the fourth quarter.
Kings: Sacramento found its shooting touch after hitting less than 40% of its 3-point tries in six straight games. The Kings came into the day ranking sixth worst in the NBA by making 33.2% from 3 but went 14 for 30 against Houston.
Key moment
The Kings shooting run began shortly after a heated moment between the teams after a hard foul by Fox against Jabari Smith Jr. There were three technicals issued with Monk getting one for Sacramento and Smith and Dillon Brooks getting them for Houston.
Key stat
The Kings went nearly nine minutes of game action without missing a shot from the field. Sabonis and Fox each made four, DeRozan and Keegan Murray made three and Monk made one.
Up next
The Rockets play at Golden State on Thursday night. The Kings travel to face Memphis.
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