Kings Motor Past Pistons, 101-92
Maybe the Kings should consider having closed-door meetings on a regular basis.
One day after players, coaches, and management aired their grievances with each other in what was termed a "family meeting," the Kings came out and knocked the Detroit Pistons for a 101-92 victory Wednesday night at Sleep Train Arena.
Playing with a renewed energy on both ends of the floor, the Kings jumped out to a 36-23 lead after one quarter thanks to 15 points from DeMarcus Cousins and 12 from Rudy Gay. By halftime, the duo had combined for 42 of the Kings' 61 points, with Sacramento enjoying a 12-point lead at the intermission. Cousins finished with 33 points and 9 rebounds, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, while Gay missed just four shots en route to 25 points.
"This shows the potential of this team," said Cousins afterwards. "It was a great team effort, everyone was on their cues."
Rajon Rondo, playing all 48 minutes for the second game in a row thanks to injuries to Darren Collison and Seth Curry, controlled the pace of the game with his second triple-double of the season and 29th of his career, with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 15 assists - the 57th career game in which Rondo has recorded fifteen or more assists.
The Pistons would make things mildly interesting in the fourth quarter, at one point trimming the lead to five, but were never able to draw any closer.
Andre Drummond, who entered the game averaging more than 19 points and 19 rebounds for Detroit, recorded 14 points and 17 boards in the losing effort.
The Kings (2-7) held Detroit to 38% shooting and forced 16 turnovers. They host the Nets on Friday.
