Kings get offensive, snap losing skid to Suns

SACRAMENTO -- The Sacramento Kings finally figured out a way to defeat the Phoenix Suns and came away with 121-112 victory before an announced crowd of 13,501 at Sleep Train Arena on Friday.

The Kings (22-42) had lost five straight to the Suns, including the first two of their four-game series this season.

However, the Kings grabbed a lead in the second quarter with a 15-5 run and were able to hold on, no matter how much they seemed to try to give the game away. Sacramento committed 10 turnovers in the second half, but its precise field-goal shooting kept it in control.

Phoenix (21-41) lost its second straight game, this time because its defense could not keep Sacramento's offense under control.

The Kings shot 54.9 percent overall, including 48.1 percent from 3-point range, and 86 percent from the free-throw line.

Five Kings scored in double-figures, including Isaiah Thomas, who scored a game-high 27 points to lead four Sacramento players who had at least 20 points. Shooting guard Tyreke Evans followed with 25 points, including 14 in the second half.

Sixth man Marcus Thornton continued his strong offensive effort with 23 points, while center DeMarcus Cousins broke out of a two-game slump with 22 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists and two steals.

Evans made a career-high four 3-pointers in the second half.

But the highlight of Evans' night came on a come-from-behind block on a lay-in attempt by Phoenix's Luis Scola midway through the third quarter.

Evans landed hard on his right side and elbow and then slowly rejoined the action after a time out.

"He needs to hurt his elbow a lot more," Cousins jokingly said of Evans, who has struggled to make perimeter shots throughout his four seasons. "Like I said, he did an incredible job of knocking down that jumper (Friday night)."

Evans said he has been getting up quite a few shots at night.

"I've been working on my shot at night with Ross (McMains)," Evans said. "It feels good when you get a few to go and yeah, you start looking for opportunities to get some more in the game. I just try to shoot the same every time. I've been in the gym and it's been paying off."

Kings coach Keith Smart said Evans' ability to make perimeter shots and improve his basketball awareness are the keys to his success.

"As those open," Smart said, "his game will begin to open up more and more. We'll just forget those couple of turnovers he had in the second half. We had 30 assists because guys were moving the ball."

Phoenix coach Lindsey Hunter said his team struggled defensively.

"We had a tough time adjusting rotation-wise," Hunter said. Our bigs (Marcin Gortat, Jermaine O'Neal and Channing Frye) were out. I thought the bigs who played did well. We scored enough points, but defensively it was really far from what we're trying to become."

Michael Beasley led the Suns with 24 points off the bench. Beasley had his career high of 42 in this arena while with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2010.

The Suns closed to within three points with 6:50 left in the game and trailed by four points with 43 seconds remaining.

But Evans hit two free throws with 16 seconds left, and Thomas added two more five seconds later.

Notes: The Kings started a three-game home stand Friday. ... Sacramento's last victory (116-113) over Phoenix was March 29, 2011. ... The Kings handed out 20 or more assists in each of the past nine games. They averaged 25.1 assists during that span. ... The Suns likely have lost the services of center Marcin Gortat for the rest of the season because of a sprained right foot. He injured it by stepping on the foot of Toronto's Amir Johnson Wednesday night. Gortat had a consecutive-game streak of 182 before Friday night. He'll be in a cast for three weeks. ... The Suns were 8-12 before Friday under interim coach Lindsey Hunter, who won his first game as the head coach Jan. 23.