Kings lose to Lakers in overtime, possibly Sacramento’s last game

In what could be the last NBA game played in Sacramento‘s Power Balance Pavilion, the Kings saw faced the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.

The Kings and Lakers were heated Pacific Division rivals in the early 2000’s, game and since then, the rivalry, at least for the Lakers, faded.

The Lakers remained a perennial playoff team while Sacramento had not appeared in the playoffs since 2006. In front of a sellout crowd of 17,641 these two teams would take a step back in time for perhaps one last time.

A win against the Kings would ensure them the second seed in the playoffs.

The Lakers held a 91-71 with 9:44 left in regulation when the Kings made what could be one of the most memorable runs in team history.

Led by the backcourt of Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton the Kings and went on a 27-4 run to take the lead at 97-95 with 1:22 left in the game.

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Durant, Westbrook lead Thunder over Kings

The Sacramento Kings knew they had a tough team in store when the Oklahoma City Thunder stormed into the Power Balance Pavilion. The Thunder were guaranteed to finish with at least the fourth seed in the Western Conference and weren’t holding back their all-stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook..

It wasn’t a sellout like many of the fans supporting Here We Stay Night 2 intended, but 15,683 fans came in to see the game.

Even though the Kings owned one of the worst records in the NBA and they were playing without Tyreke Evans because of a sprained left ankle the day before, the Kings would prove to be no pushovers.

Both teams never led by more than six points in the first half and shot over 50 percent for the half. The Kings led 57-51 at the end of the half, but the game was about to get chippy.

While the game was noticeably more physical, the Kings shot 23.1 percent from the floor while the Thunder shot 68.4 percent. Even with the Thunder shooting better by a 45.3 percent differential, the Kings only trailed by four points heading into the final quarter.

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Thornton helps Kings edge Warriors in Oakland

Before their last two games of the season at home, the Sacramento Kings would have to play their final road game not far from home. The Golden State Warriors hosted the Kings in a game that would go down to the wire.

The Warriors trailed by as much as 10 points but they gained an eight-point advantage early in the fourth quarter. The Kings rallied down the stretch with an 11-0 run to take an 92-89 lead.

It would only be fitting that Marcus Thornton would take the big shot at the end of the game after doing it so much since his trade from New Orleans. He scored 11 of his team-high 21 points in the final period, including the Kings’ last six points.

Thornton crossed over Stephen Curry and made a 19-footer to put the game out of reach.

The Kings won their final road game of the season, beating their division rival 104-103 and finishing with a 13-28 record on the road, two wins more than their current record at home.

DeMarcus Cousins finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds in the win. Jason Thompson and Beno Udrih scored 14 points each off the bench and Donté Greene had 10 points off the bench.

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