Instant Replay: Kings' rally not enough, lose fifth straight

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SACRAMENTO -- The white flag is up. The Sacramento Kings mailed in another game Sunday night, allowing the Utah Jazz to come into Sleep Train Arena and walk all over them for a 108-99 win. After pulling to within three games of .500 at 20-23 on Jan. 23, the Kings are just 5-17 since, spiraling out of control.

Gordon Hayward ran circles around the Kings’ wings, finishing with 27 points on 9-for-19 shooting from the field and 4-of-9 from long range. On the defensive end, Hayward held Rudy Gay to just six points on 3-of-9 shooting.

With Hayward surfing the perimeter, big man Derrick Favors hit the Kings down low. The 6-foot-10 power forward dropped in 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting and chipped in 14 rebounds.

Shelvin Mack hit for 14 points and eight assists and Rodney Hood added 12 as the Jazz improved to 31-35 on the season.

Omri Casspi was one of the few bright spots for Sacramento. The veteran forward attacked the Jazz at the rim and couldn’t miss from long range. He finished the night with 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting and his 4-of-4 from long range, but George Karl sat him down for most of the fourth quarter with the game still undecided.

DeMarcus Cousins put up numbers, like always, but it wasn’t enough. The All-Star big finished the night with 31 points and 10 rebounds in 35 minutes of action after missing the last game due to suspension.

Darren Collison added 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting and Willie Cauley-Stein chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds as the Kings fell for the fifth straight game.

STANDOUT PERFORMER 

Favors and Hayward pounded the Kings, one from the inside and the other from long range. If Utah hopes to make a late push for the playoffs, it will be on the backs of these two players.

TURNING POINT 

The minute Utah’s bus showed up to the arena, the game was decided. The Kings played like a team ready for a long summer holiday from the opening tip. 

INJURY UPDATE 

Ben McLemore missed his third straight game with a broken right ring finger.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Kings travel to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers Tuesday night before returning to Sacramento on Wednesday night to face the Pelicans.

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