Kings Improve To 2-0 After Holding Off Suns 106-103
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP/CBS13) — It was a close one in Sacramento as De'Aaron Fox had 24 points and seven assists, Richaun Holmes and Buddy Hield combined for five free throws in the final two minutes and the Kings held off the Phoenix Suns 106-103 on Saturday night.
Marvin Bagley III earned his second-straight double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, Harrison Barnes had 11 points and 11 rebounds and Hield finished with 14 points for Sacramento.
Devin Booker scored 26 points for Phoenix. Chris Paul had 22 points and 12 assists.
Three nights after beating Denver on a last-second tip-in by Hield in overtime, the Kings had to sweat out another close one.
Sacramento led 99-97 before Holmes scored on a three-point play with 1:43 remaining. Paul responded with a short jumper and free throw before Holmes made a pair from the stripe.
After Booker missed a jumper with 4.7 seconds left, Hield made two free throws. Paul then made a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
The loss ended the Suns' nine-game winning streak dating to last season when Phoenix won its final seven games in the NBA bubble.
The Kings got off to an 11-0 start and led most of the first half. Barnes sparked the fast start with a low bucket, a steal and a dunk.
The Suns closed within 58-54 at halftime after Paul's 3-pointer at the buzzer was waved off. The play was reviewed and overturned.
TWO DOWN, 70 TO GO
Sacramento is off to a 2-0 start for the first time since beating Cleveland and Philadelphia to open the 2003-04 season under then-coach Rick Adelman. The Kings last made the playoffs in 2005-06, the longest active drought in the NBA.
TIP-INS
Suns: Booker had 11 points in the third quarter … Phoenix missed 16 of its first 3-point attempts.
Phoenix last won 10 straight in 2010.
Kings: Bagley has had a double-double in each of Sacramento's first two games this season. The second overall pick in 2018, Bagley had only three during an injury-plagued season a year ago.
UP NEXT
The Suns and Kings continue their back-to-back Sunday night and tip off an hour earlier at Golden 1 Center. It's the last time the teams will meet this season after splitting four games a year ago.
