Sacramento –- The Kings allowed a season-high 128 points on Monday in a loss to the Warriors and couldn’t stop the Suns either, losing 115-106 Friday night at Sleep Train Arena.
Eric Bledsoe led six Suns (17-14) in double figures with 18 points. Marcus Morris (20), Markieff Morris (17), Isaiah Thomas (17), Goran Dragic (16) and Alex Len (10) rounded out the double-figure scorers for the victors.
The Kings (12-17) had seven players in double figures, led by Darren Collison’s 19, and 16 apiece from Rudy Gay and Derrick Williams.
The difference in this one was defense, as the Kings allowed Phoenix to exceed their 105-point-per-game average. Sacramento was also outshot from the 3-point line, with the Suns shooting 14-for-33, while the Kings were 7-for-19 from downtown.
Phoenix started the fourth quarter with a four-point cushion and went on an 8-0 run to go up 102-90 with 10:30 to go in the game.
From that point on, Sacramento outscored Phoenix 16-13, but never seriously threatened the lead. Additionally from an 88-88 tie with 1:36 to go in the third quarter, the Suns outscored Sacramento 27-18 to seal the victory.
The Suns went on a 7-0 run to start the second half to take a 66-56 lead with 10:17 to go in the third quarter.
However, the Kings responded, eventually taking the lead on a Ben McLemore alley oop dunk off a Gay feed. That made it 82-81 with 3:51 to go in the stanza.
After four lead changes and two ties throughout the third quarter, the Suns secured a 94-90 lead on a Thomas 3-pointer with .9 seconds on the clock as the quarter came to a close.
In a harbinger of things to come, the Suns took a 28-21 lead at the end of the first quarter, shooting 3-for-6 from 3-point range.
The Suns, who led by as many as 11 points in the first half, entered the locker room with a 59-56 advantage.
The Kings have now lost two straight and seven of their last eight, while Phoenix extended its winning streak to five games.
The Kings host the Knicks (5-26) in the second of a home back-to-back on Saturday.
STANDOUT PERFORMER:
Marcus Morris came off the bench and scored 20 points on a sizzling 6-for-7 shooting from 3-point range.
TURNING POINT:
An 8-0 run to start the final quarter provided the Suns a 12-point cushion that they never really looked back from.
INJURY REPORT:
Sacramento – C DeMarcus Cousins (gastroenteritis), G Ramon Sessions (low back strain) and C Ryan Hollins (personal) were out.
Phoenix – None to report.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Kings host the New York Knicks Saturday in the second of a home back-to-back.
