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Evans Scores 26 As Kings Hold Off Wizards 112-109
Sacramento, CA (Sports Network) - Tyreke Evans had 26 points, six rebounds and six assists, as the Sacramento Kings held on to top the Wizards, 112-109, sending Washington to its sixth consecutive loss by a combined 14 points.
Evans had 10 points in the fourth quarter for the Kings, who had lost their last eight matchups with the Wizards. Sacramento had not beaten Washington since February 27, 2005. Omri Casspi added a career-best 22 points, while Andres Nocioni had 20 points in the win.
“We didn’t want guys coming out there and forcing things,” said Evans. “We went out there and kept our composure.”
Jason Thompson provided 17 points and 13 boards in the victory.
Gilbert Arenas provided 33 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Wizards, who tied the 1976-77 Suns for the NBA record for most consecutive defeats by four or fewer points. Antawn Jamison had 30 points, 16 in the first quarter, while Caron Butler had 16 points and nearly hit the game-tying three at the buzzer.
Washington got to within seven points several times in the opening moments of the fourth, but Nocioni hit a three with just over six minutes left to provide Sacramento a 100-88 advantage.
Evans’ dunk with 4 1/2 minutes left gave the Kings a 105-94 lead before a 7-0 Washington run ended with Arenas’ two free throws, making it a four-point contest with three minutes to go.
Arenas hit a pair of shots inside two minutes to get the Wizards to within 109-106, and, after several misses from both teams, Evans was fouled with under 24 seconds left.
Washington had a foul to give, so Sacramento had an ensuing inbounds pass; however, Butler stole it and coasted in for a dunk with 18 seconds left for a 109-108 game.
Beno Udrih made only 1-of-2 from the line on the Kings' next possession, but Evans was called for a dead-ball foul before Washington put the ball in play, leading to Butler's free throw with 16.6 seconds left and a one-point game.
The Wizards retained the ball and held for the final shot, but Evans picked Arenas’ pocket, knocking the ball away and gaining possession. Evans was fouled and drained two free throws with 3.4 seconds left for a 112-109 game; Butler took the ball on the ensuing obsession and nearly made a deep game- tying three, but the ball rimmed out.
“We had a chance, the ball in Gil’s hands at the end, down one, hopefully get a last shot to win the game,” said Saunders. “Evans made a great play and to top it off made two big free throws.”
Jamison scored 16 points in the opening quarter, but Sacramento still held a 34-33 lead after the first 12 minutes.
The Kings outscored the Wizards, 25-21, in a back-and-forth second quarter, taking a 59-54 lead into halftime.
Washington managed to take a three-point lead near the midway point of the third, but a Casspi three and Nocioni four-point play allowed the hosts to surge back in front by four.
After Earl Boykins hit a jumper, the Kings finished the quarter on a 9-2 run to take an 89-80 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Kings moved to 10-3 at home this season...There were 12 lead changes in the game...Arenas had 13 points in the fourth quarter and fouled out in the final seconds...Both teams were awful from long distance, with Sacramento going 5-for-23 and Washington 4-for-19.
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