Sacramento
Kings win season-opener for the first time in seven years
After seven years of season-opener disappointments, the Sacramento Kings finally started the season on a bright note when they escaped with a thrilling 117-116 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves,
Wednesday night 27 Oct in Minneapolis.
Carl Landry paced the Kings with his 22 points and 11 rebounds, while starting point guard Beno Udrih chipped in 18 points and dished out six assists in 38 minutes of action on the court.
"It was a great season-opening game," said Udrih, who started the game for the suspended superstar Tyreke Evans. "The last two years, we've been 0-3, 0-4 and we've been basically chasing
that .500. This year we start with a win and hopefully we can get a couple more on this road trip."
Francisco Garcia racked up 22 points, while 2010 fifth-overall pick DeMarcus Cousins was hobbled by four troubles in the first half, but bounced back in the second half and finished the game
with 14 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, including crucial baskets down the stretch.
"When the game is tight and the game is on the line, I want to make the plays," Cousins said. "I want to have the ball in my hands; I want to make the decisions. Coach is on the same page."
Luke Ridnour led the Wolves’ attack with his 20 points and six assists, while Anthony Tolliver had an impressive debut as he tallied 14 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks, but their
efforts were not enough as the Kings took advantage of their lackluster defensive sets.
The Kings shot 45 per cent from the field, and had 47 free-throw attempts in the game, as compared to Minnesota’s 28 shot from the 15-foot line.
"In this league, you've got to play defense," Ridnour said. "All preseason, that's kind of what carried us and we hung our hat on. It seems like once the lights came on we just didn't execute
and do the same things we've done all preseason."
Wesley Johnson, who was the fourth-overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, scored 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field, but was used sparingly because he is still recovering from a hamstring
injury he sustained in a pre-season game.
Kevin Love, who was projected to have a breakout year after a strong performance during the summer, still came off the bench and racked up 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Wolves, which
managed to trim the lead down to one, 111-110, with 56.6 seconds left in the game.
However, Omri Casspi slammed the door for the Wolves with a vicious dunk, sealing the Sacramento Kings’ first 1-0 start over the past eight seasons.
The Kings played without 2010 NBA Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans, who was suspended for a game after pleading guilty to the reckless driving charges against him during the off-season.
The Wolves also missed the services of second-year point guard Jonny Flynn, who is still nursing a hip injury.
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