Sacramento’s Zach LaVine poured in 25 points to go with 10 rebounds and Domantas Sabonis racked up 24 points and 11 rebounds to help the Kings snap a three-game losing streak by thumping the host Charlotte Hornets 125-102 on Friday night.
DeMar DeRozan’s 22 points for Sacramento included 9-for-10 free-throw shooting.
It was a much-needed outcome for the Kings (37-40), who two nights earlier lost at lowly Washington. Sacramento is battling for a playoff position in the Western Conference.
Ex-Hornets guard Malik Monk had 17 points off the bench and reserve Trey Lyles added 12 points as Sacramento won for the second time in its last nine games.
The Hornets (19-58) lost for the seventh time in their last eight games despite 22 points from Miles Bridges, who was 2-for-11 on 3-point launches.
Moussa Diabate finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and KJ Simpson and Tidjane Salaun had 13 points apiece for Charlotte. The Hornets managed only an 8-for-35 mark on 3-pointers, though 28-for-34 free-throw shooting helped.
The Kings were up 68-49 at halftime, shooting 49 percent from the field with three turnovers. They poured in 19 points in the final 5 1/2 minutes of a 42-point second quarter.
Sabonis posted 18 points by halftime. Monk had three of Sacramento’s six first-half 3-point baskets.
DeRozan scored the last eight points of the first quarter to give the Kings a 26-18 lead. It turned into a 13-0 run for Sacramento by early in the second quarter after Monk’s 3-pointer.
The Hornets shot 3-for-19 on first-half 3-point attempts as part of their 34.8 percent shooting from the field.
The game marked the NBA debut for guard Jaylen Sims, who was signed by Charlotte earlier in the day to a 10-day contract after finishing the G League season with Greensboro. He scored seven points off the bench.
–Field Level Media
