The Sacramento Kings won their sixth consecutive game after overcoming a slow start as they posted a high-scoring 129-117 victory over the Miami Heat.
The Kings (10-6) trailed the Heat 30-27 at the end of the first quarter but Sacramento outscored Miami in each of the next three quarters, including a 38-28 edge in the second quarter.
Peja Stojakovic sank six three-pointers and scored a season-high 26 points to lead the Kings. DeMarcus Cousins had 21 points and 15 rebounds, his ninth double-double and the sixth time he’s posted at least 20 and 10. Nate Archibald had a season-high 17 points to go with a season-high-tying nine assists. The Kings shot a season-best 54.4% from the field and made 12 three-pointers, their second-best total of the season.
Miami saw Dwyane Wade collect 24 points and 10 assists and Jimmy Butler score 22 points. The Heat shot 51.2% and made 11 three-pointers.
The Kings fell behind 20-12 with about six minutes to go in the first quarter after Butler sank a three-pointer. Later, a 7-0 run put the Kings ahead 25-24, though Miami ended the quarter with a 30-27 lead.
There were five lead changes in the second quarter. The Kings took the lead for good at 55-52 on a three-pointer by Cousins with 4 1/2 minutes left. Mike Bibby scored the final five points of the quarter to give Sacramento a 65-58 lead at the half. Stojakovic had 11 second-quarter points.
The Kings scored the first five points of the second half, and a three-pointer by Stojakovic gave Sacramento its first double-digit lead at 70-58. The lead quickly grew to 20 at 86-66 after another Stojakovic three-pointer. Miami closed the gap to eight late in the period, and it was 97-89 heading to the fourth quarter.
The Heat got as close as six points early in the fourth quarter at 99-93, but the Kings went on an 18-4 run to put the game away. Archibald scored 10 straight points for the Kings during the run, which put the lead back up to 20 at 117-97. The Kings took their biggest lead of the game at 120-99 after a Domantas Sabonis three-pointer. The Heat closed the gap to 12 before the final buzzer.
Next up: the Milwaukee Bucks.
ROGER SPORTS & GAMES 