Sacramento Kings Hand Lakers Their 50th Loss Of Season
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Rudy Gay scored nine of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, Ray McCallum had 27 points and the Sacramento Kings beat the Los Angeles Lakers 107-102 on Wednesday night.
Sacramento, which avoided a series sweep, scored nine straight points early in the second quarter and didn't trail again in winning its second straight. The Lakers had won the first three meetings this season and beaten their Pacific Division rivals five consecutive overall.
Jodie Meeks scored 21 points and Jordan Hill had 18 points and 15 rebounds before fouling out late in the fourth quarter for the Lakers. Nick Young, who scored 40 points Tuesday in a loss to Portland, had 17 points and Kent Bazemore added 14.
Los Angeles lost its second straight and fourth in five games. The Lakers, losers of six straight road games, are 11-27 away from home this season.
The Lakers (25-50) are experiencing only their eighth losing season since moving west from Minneapolis in 1960. They are on pace to have their worst record in the Los Angeles era. The last time the Lakers had 50 or more losses was 1974-75 (30-52).
DeMarcus Cousins had 20 points and 10 rebounds, while rookie guard Ben McLemore had 12 points for Sacramento.
Fouled trouble plagued Cousins in the opening half when he played only 10 minutes and had eight points and three fouls. Cousins picked up his fourth foul with 7:11 left in the third quarter and went to the bench a short time later.
Sacramento played its fifth straight game without point guard Isaiah Thomas, who has bruised right quadriceps.
Hill hit a jumper and Ryan Kelly followed with a dunk, cutting the Sacramento lead to 103-100. But the Lakers could get no closer in the game's final minute.
Hill converted two free throws and Meeks made a fast-break layup, cutting the Kings lead to 96-91 with 4:32 remaining. Cousins responded with a basket, a free throw, then found Outlaw open for a dunk, giving the Kings a 101-93 lead.
It was one more game where the Lakers played with a depleted roster. Missing the game were Pau Gasol (vertigo), Steve Nash (ankle), Chris Kamen (calf) and Xaiver Henry (multiple injuries).
The Lakers said Gasol suffered a "severe recurrence of vertigo" Wednesday in his Sacramento hotel. The 13-year veteran missed four straight games stemming from his initial bout with vertigo 1 1/2 weeks ago, Gasol played Tuesday night in a loss to Portland, but said he might have rushed his return to the court.
Leading by eight points at the half, the Kings built an 87-76 lead entering the fourth quarter. Gay, McCallum and Cousins all scored seven points in the third when the Kings outscored Los Angeles 27-24.
NOTES: Ex-Kings forward Brian Grant was sitting courtside. ... McCallum had 17 points and Gay scored 15 in the first half when Sacramento led 60-52. ... The Kings' reserves had seven first-half points and finished with 14. ... The Kings are 16-21 this season at home.