Instant Replay: Despite rally, another slow starts dooms Kings

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SACRAMENTO -- It’s raining threes in Sacramento. The wintery weather in the Capital City couldn’t chill the Houston Rockets from behind the arc. The visiting team put on a show Friday night, lighting the Kings up for 21 long balls on their way to a 117-104 victory.

With James Harden drawing a crowd, Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson, Patrick Beverley, Eric Gordon, Sam Dekker and Corey Brewer camped around the perimeter and let it fly. The result was one of the best 3-point shooting nights in recent memory.

Ariza led the way, hitting 5-for-9 from deep for 17 points . . . before the first half could come to a close. The veteran wing finished the night with 18 points on six makes from 3-point land.

With the perimeter game cooking, Clint Capela went to work in the post, coming away with 17 points and 10 rebounds. 

Harden struggled with his shot early, but still managed to kick in 23 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for a triple-double.

DeMarcus Cousins found his shot late on his way to a 32-point, nine-rebound game to lead Sacramento, but it wasn’t nearly enough to keep the Kings in the ballgame.

After sitting out the last three games as a healthy scratch, seldom used Omri Casspi came off Dave Joerger’s bench and provided a spark. The 28-year-old forward saw action for just the seventh time this season and made the most of his opportunity. Casspi finished the evening with a modest seven points, four rebounds and five assists, but his energy likely stopped this from being a 40-point blowout.

Matt Barnes tried to will the Kings back into the game, scoring 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting. Garrett Temple continues to play a physical style of defense that the Kings sorely need. He finished the night with nine points and two steals as he slowed Harden.

Ty Lawson added 12 points and four rebounds and Kosta Koufos chipped in 10 points and five boards off the bench. Rudy Gay struggled from the field, hitting 4-of-11 shots on his way to 10 points.

STANDOUT PERFORMER -- Ariza had to put his hand in a bucket of ice to cool it off after this game. Sacramento left him open on the perimeter and the vet made them pay.

TURNING POINT -- This game was over when the Rockets hit eight 3-pointers and outscored the Kings 38-19 in the first quarter. Sacramento didn’t roll over and play dead, but it’s hard to erase a big lead when your opponent drops in 63 points from behind the arc.

INJURY UPDATE --  The Kings continued to navigate the schedule with a full roster of healthy bodies.

WHAT'S NEXT -- After finishing their five game homestand, the Kings hit the road for six straight beginning Sunday against the Nets in Brooklyn.

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