Centres at the fore as Sacramento Kings edge out Detroit Pistons 105-103 – NBA Recap
DeMarcus Cousins hammered 21 points, 11 rebounds and displayed a strong inside presence while Pistons centre Greg Monroe notched up his first career triple-double and also first this season with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, in a game which went right down to the wire and ultimately resulted in a Kings’ win 105-103, their first against Detroit in six tries.
Trailing by 8 at the end of the third quarter, the Pistons started the last quarter with a bang and made it a three point game inside the first two minutes. The Kings responded immediately and their lead grew to 9, before Monroe scored 4 in a six-zip run to make it a one basket game again at 91-94.
A Brandon Knight three with 23.3 seconds remaining in the game brought Pistons within two, but Jimmer Fredette slipped in two free throws on the ensuing possession to make it 104-100. With just 10 seconds remaining in the game, Kyle Singler attempted a three pointer, which missed and the Pistons had to immediately foul Cousins. The Kings’ henchman missed one of two from the line, but it was enough to add some assurity at 105-100.
Rodney Stuckey knocked down a three right at the death but the Pistons fell short by two, crashing to their fifth loss of the season.
In addition to a stellar effort from Cousins, six more Kings scored in double figures. Shooting guard Tyreke Evans added 15 points, hauled down 7 rebounds with 3 steals; while Isaiah Thomas also contributed 15 on a 6 of 9 shooting including 3 of 4 from the three point range. Jason Thompson added 13 to the total; Fredette had 12, while Marcus Thornton and Aaron Brooks added 11 apiece.
Brandon Knight scored 21 points for the Pistons, an effort which included 5 three pointers. Will Bynum had 14 points while Kyle Singler chipped in with 12.
The game was marred by an ugly incident involving rookie Kings forward Thomas Robinson, who hit Jonas Jerebko with an elbow in the fourth quarter. He was swiftly ejected from the game.
The Kings will now face the San Antonio Spurs on Friday while the Pistons will look to contain the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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