Kings Lose To Trail Blazers 101-79
PORTLAND, Ore. (CBS) -- Gerald Wallace had 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a 101-79 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and eight rebounds for the Blazers (2-0). Nicolas Batum added 15 points and five rebounds off the bench.
DeMarcus Cousins led the way for Sacramento (1-1) with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Marcus Thornton added 14 points and Jason Thompson had 11. The Kings struggled from the field in the second half and committed 23 fouls and 20 turnovers for the game.
Both teams were playing after opening their seasons on Monday. The Kings beat the Los Angeles Lakers 100-91 behind Thornton's 27 points. Portland managed a 107-103 win over Philadelphia.
Sacramento's inexperience showed as Portland pulled away in the second half. The Kings made just 9 of 38 shots after halftime. The Blazers took a 76-65 lead on the first basket of the fourth. Batum finished a fast-break with a layup to make it 88-73 with 4:38 remaining. The Kings had just 14 points in the final quarter.
The Kings have the youngest opening day roster in the NBA with an average age of 24.347 years. Ten of the Kings have played two seasons or less in the NBA.
The Kings were in control early, getting baskets from seven of eight players in the opening quarter and leading by as many as 10 in the second. However, the Blazers erased the gap with a 16-6 run and went into halftime tied at 46.
NOTES: Portland has won 10 of its last 11 against the Kings. ... The Blazers conclude their three-game season-opening road trip Thursday against Denver. ... The Kings made only 3 of 16 3-pointers while Portland was just 3 of 18. ... Sacramento reserve J.J Hickson, picked up in a deal with Cleveland, had 10 points and five rebounds.
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