Phoenix Suns knock over Sacramento Kings 109-100 to keep their playoff hopes alive – NBA Recap
Marcin Gortat scored 20 points with 10 rebounds whileSteve Nash scored 18 and dished out 12 assists as the Phoenix Suns overcame a 41 points - 12 rebounds night from DeMarcus Cousins to defeat the Sacramento Kings 109-100 in Sacramento.
Although they shot only 39% of their field goals, a 13-2 run in the last 4:37 of the first quarter, meant that the Suns led by 29-18 after one. They capitalized on their lead from the 1st quarter early in the second,
going on a 9-0 run to take the score to 43-26.
However, Terrence Williams came off the bench and scored 12 points in the 2nd quarter alone to lead the Kings to a 12-0 run that cut the lead down to 43-38, still in favour of the Suns. The first half ended with the
Suns leading 59-51.
The 3rd quarter belonged to the Kings who outscored the Suns 27-20. DeMarcus Cousins scored the first 7 points of the Kings in that quarter and had a total of 13 points in the period. The Suns had no answer for his offensive
style. The Kings went on a 10-2 run at the end of the quarter to come within one of the Suns as the score was 77-76 to the Suns with 1:16 left in the 3rd.
The quarter eventually ended with the Suns leading by 79-78.
Nash upped his game in the 4th quarter and did what he is famous for, closing out games. He hit a 3 pointer followed by a running jump shot. Then, he grabbed an offensive rebound and dished an assist to Channing Frye,
who hit the jump shot for two points. This 7-0 run, led by Nash, brought the score to 101-90, the Suns leading by 11.
Cousins tried hard to cut down the lead with 4 minutes left in the game but he was unable to do so and the Suns won the match 109-100.
Jared Dudley and Channing Frye both scored 15 points for the Suns. Michael Redd chipped in 16 points from the bench, going 7 of 14 from the field. DeMarcus Cousins had an amazing night, scoring 41 points and grabbing 12 boards.
Isaiah Thomas finished with 25 points and 7 assists. Both teams shot poorly from beyond the arc, the Suns shooting 5 of 22 and the Kings a dismal 1 of 10.
The Suns have now won 2 in a row but are still 27-26 this season, 1 win behind Utah Jazz and 2 wins behind 8th place Houston Rockets. They are still in contention of displacing the Rockets from the 8th place
and earning a ticket to the playoffs. They play the Jazz next, followed by a game against Denver Nuggets.
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