Kings 108, Trail Blazers 96
SACRAMENTO -- The Sacramento Kings rode a power-packed second quarter to a 108-96 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday before an announced crowd of 13,344 at Sleep Train Arena.
The Kings outscored the Trail Blazers 28-15 in the second quarter to assume control of the game. The defeat ended Portland's five-game winning streak and lifted the Kings' home record to 8-7.
Sacramento had its best offensive game of the season. Six Kings scored in double figures, led by Marcus Thornton, who had 22 points. John Salmons added 15 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
The Kings shot a season-high 55.6 percent from the field and registered a season-high 31 assists.
Former Trail Blazers forward Travis Outlaw provided a key spark for the Kings, scoring 13 of his 15 points in the second quarter. Outlaw received extra playing time because Sacramento was without center DeMarcus Cousins (suspension), swingman Tyreke Evans (sore left knee) and swingman Francisco Garcia (sore lower back).
The Kings (9-18) won for the second time in three games by shooting 13-for-19 (68.4 percent) in the third quarter, and the Trail Blazers never could make a true dent in Sacramento's second-half momentum.
Forward LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds for Portland (13-13). Damian Lillard added 15 points and seven assists, while J.J. Hickson had 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Kings' reserves outscored their counterparts 43-26. The bench players helped Sacramento take control with a 12-0 run that spanned the third and fourth quarters.
NOTES: Sunday night's game was the first of a home-and-home set between the teams. The Kings visit Portland on Wednesday to conclude the season series. Each team won on the road in the two meetings prior to Sunday. ... Kings guard Jimmer Fredette leads the NBA in free-throw shooting at 94.1 percent. Fredette had a streak of 33 consecutive makes end Friday night in a loss at the Los Angeles Clippers. ... Sacramento coach Keith Smart chose to keep his starting lineup a secret before the game. "There is no need to divulge that until I have to 30 minutes before the game," he said. ... Jason Thompson started at center for the Kings across from Portland's J.J. Hickson. Both players began the 2011-12 season playing power forward for the Kings. ... Salmons opted not to compare suspended Kings center DeMarcus Cousins to any player he's previously played with. Salmons said of Cousins, "He's young (22), and I don't think we've given up on him from management on down. He's got a lot of potential and a chance to be a good player in this league."
