Sacramento Kings Damage Philadelphia 76ers Lottery Hopes By Handing Them Win With Turnovers
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Ish Smith scored five of his 18 points over the final 3 1/2 minutes and Jamari Grant made three late free throws to help lift the Philadelphia 76ers to a 110-105 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
The 76ers have won two of their past three games since acquiring Smith in a trade with New Orleans, improving their NBA-worst record to 3-31. Nerlens Noel had a season-high 20 points with nine rebounds while Grant finished with 16 points, a career-best 11 rebounds and five blocked shots.
Isaiah Canaan scored 15 points for Philadelphia, and reserve Hollis Thompson had 12.
DeMarcus Cousins had 21 points and 11 rebounds for Sacramento but fouled out with 1:47 left.
Philadelphia led by as much as 12 in the second half and was up 95-86 early in the fourth before Sacramento made a late push. The Kings closed to 103-101 on Marco Bellineli's jumper with 3:03 remaining, but Smith scored on a driving layup after Rudy Gay missed a potential tying shot.
After Cousins was called for an offensive foul, Grant made two free throws and Smith followed with one of his own to help Philadelphia hold on.
Coming off a four-point loss in Utah on Monday, the 76ers took advantage of the Kings' sloppiness in the second quarter and went on a 20-6 run punctuated by consecutive baskets by Canaan.
Canaan and Grant made two 3-pointers apiece as part of another big Philadelphia run coming out of halftime, helping the 76ers build a 73-61 lead.
Philadelphia was still up by 10 with 5:45 left in the third and led by four heading into the fourth.
TIP-INS
76ers: The 110 points are the third-most scored by Philadelphia this season. ... Jahlil Okafor was limited to 19 minutes because of soreness in his right knee. The rookie had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Kings: Cousins needs 34 rebounds to break Chris Webber's franchise record. ... San Francisco Giants reliever Sergio Romo attended the game and sat courtside next to Kings owner Vivek Ranadive. Romo wore a light blue Cousins jersey. ... Coach George Karl remains one win shy of tying Phil Jackson for fifth place on the NBA's career coaching list with 1,155.
UP NEXT
76ers: At Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.
Kings: Host Phoenix on Saturday.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
