Before the season, the Kings and Sixers engaged in a trade that sent Samuel Dalembert to Sacramento and Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni to Philadelphia. Dalembert was supposed to help anchor the Kings defense as they improved from last year while the Sixers were rumored to begin the rebuilding process.
My how things change.
The Kings are now sitting at a record of 16-51 after this loss to Philadelphia, while the Sixers, a team with faint playoff hopes before the season, moved past the Knicks for 6th place in the Eastern Conference.
The Sixers got an early lead and never let up, outscoring Sacramento by at least 8 points in each of the first three quarters. Jrue Holiday led the way for Philadelphia, scoring 15 points (all in the first half) to go with 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. His defense was also instrumental in holding Marcus Thornton to his lowest point total as a Kings (7 points on just 3-12 from the field). Thornton also had a game-high 6 turnovers, as the Sixers were very active in the passing lanes, snagging a season-high 16 steals.
Sacramento failed to find a reliable scoring option for most of the game. Rookie big man DeMarcus Cousins did not score a field goal in the first half, and missed his first 7. Most of those attempts were out of the paint, shooting jumpers. He came into the 2nd half looking to take it inside more and did not miss again, finishing 6-13 from the field for 19 points. He also had 12 rebounds and 3 assists.
This ends a disappointing homestand for the Kings, who go on a 5 game road trip beginning Sunday in Minnesota. In good news though, star Tyreke Evans will likely be back soon according to Head Coach Paul Westphal.