As has happened all too often this season, the Kings let another game slide from their grasp after leading in the final quarter. The Jazz almost won the game in regulation, but Marcus Thornton hit a three pointer with 14 seconds left to tie the game, and the Jazz failed to convert at the other end. Beno Udrih missed a long jumper to send the game into Overtime.
The Kings started off the game with their 24th different starting lineup of the season. Marcus Thornton got his first start in a Kings uniform, and Donté Greene got the start for the injured Omri Casspi, who sat out the game with a sore back.
The Kings did have some good news on the injury front however, as Francisco Garcia came back after missing 21 games due to a left calf strain. Garcia didn’t look rusty at all, scoring 18 points on 6 shots, including 4-5 from long range.
Thornton also continued his great play for Sacramento, scoring 22 points including that big three to send the game into Overtime, but he also had 4 turnovers and 5 fouls to go with it.
Utah led by as much as 10 point in the 2nd quarter thanks to strong play from big men Al Jefferson (27 points, 7 rebounds) and Paul Millsap (12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks), but the Kings were able to make a comeback when Millsap had to leave the game because of left knee patella inflammation.
The Kings then started the 4th quarter on an 11-2 run to take an 83-74 lead with about 8:30 minutes left, but then gave up a 12-1 run as the Jazz regained the lead and almost hung on to win in regulation.
DeMarcus Cousins had a poor shooting night (6-18 from the field, 6-11 from the FT line), but he still put up some huge numbers. 18 points and a career-high 18 rebounds to go with 7 assists (matching his career-high), 2 steals, and 3 blocks. He couldn’t handle Jefferson on the other end though.
Raja Bell (16 points) had several key plays for Utah down the stretch and in Overtime to help win the game for Utah. For the Jazz this is only their 2nd win in 9 tries under new Coach Tyrone Corbin, and it ended a 7 game home losing streak.
Sacramento heads back home to face the Houston Rockets on Monday.