In a spectacular turn of events, the Kings (5-3) failed to break a losing streak in Dallas dating back to 2003, falling to the Mavericks (5-3) 106-98 at the American Airlines Center.
Sacramento jumped on the Mavericks early, running out to a 32-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. They led by as many as 24 points in the second quarter but Dallas fought back utilizing explosive offense to pull out the win.
Monta Ellis' driving finger roll lay-up put the Mavericks up 69-67 with 5:37 remaining in the third quarter, a lead Dallas never relinquished.
An Omri Casspi 3-pointer with 3:50 left in the game cut the lead to seven at 95-88 but the Kings failed to get closer.
The second and third quarters doomed the Kings. They allowing 34 points and 30 points, respectively, and committing 22 total turnovers in the loss.
DeMarcus Cousins picked up his third foul with 4:55 to go in the second quarter and exited the floor with the Kings leading by 21 points, 52-31.
Dallas responded in a major way with a 17-5 run as the Kings held on to a 57-48 lead at the half.
The Kings first quarter was propelled by stingy defense holding Dallas to 24 percent shooting from the floor and allowing just 14 points.
The terrific start in the first quarter by Sacramento included 12 points from Rudy Gay and nine from Ben McLemore on 3-for-3 shooting from downtown.
Rudy Gay was the game’s leading scorer with 26 points while Ramon Sessions, starting for an injured Darren Collison, scored 18 points. McLemore and Cousins chipped in 17 and 16, respectively.
Dallas was led by Dirk Nowitzki’s 23 points while Chandler Parsons went for 19 points and Ellis chipped in with 16.
STANDOUT PERFORMER:
Nowitzki, whose jumper with 8:56 left in the game increased the Mavericks lead to 84-75 and was a historic moment, as the German reached 26,948 points surpassing Hakeem Olajuwon for the most points scored by an international player. He also moved into 9th place on the all-time NBA scoring list.
TURNING POINT:
With the Kings leading by 21 points, Dallas went on a 17-5 run in the second quarter closing the deficit to 57-48 at the half time break.
INJURY REPORT:
For Sacramento: G Darren Collison (sore left shoulder) did not play.
For Dallas: G Raymond Felton (sprained right ankle sprain) did not play.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Kings complete a four-game road trip on Thursday at Memphis and return home Saturday to face San Antonio.
