Late steal lifts Kings over Hornets 99-98

Box Score

SACRAMENTO, Calif.(AP)John Salmons made the go-ahead layup with 6.8 seconds left, Marcus Thornton scored 25 points, and the Sacramento Kings snapped a four-game losing streak by beating the New Orleans Hornets 99-98 on Wednesday night.The Hornets led by one and inbounded with 8.9 seconds left, but Isaiah Thomas stole Trevor Ariza's pass and quickly spotted Salmons cutting to the basket for a left-handed layup.Jarrett Jack had 25 points and Ariza 20 for the Hornets, who lost their third straight and fifth in six games. Chris Kaman had 18 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.Tyreke Evans had 13 points for the Kings, who had dropped 10 of their previous 12 games. Jason Thompson, Salmons and Thomas all had 12 points, and Jimmer Fredette scored 11.The Kings played without second-year center DeMarcus Cousins, their third-leading scorer and top rebounder. The team said he was suffering from food poisoning. The Kings are 2-0 in games Cousins has missed this season, both coming against the Hornets.This was the first of a franchise-record nine straight home games for the Kings. It came one day after the City Council and Mayor Kevin Johnson took care of the financial details of a new arena that will keep the team in Sacramento indefinitely, ending rumors that the team might move to Anaheim or Seattle.The City Council approved the measure Tuesday night to build a new downtown arena that is expected to break ground next spring and be ready for the 2015-16 season.It was yet another evening of playing short-handed for the Hornets, who have been decimated by injuries this season and only dressed nine players against the Kings.Thornton made a basket to pull the Kings to within 98-97. A shot clock violation by New Orleans gave Sacramento the ball back with 19 seconds left and trailing by one point. Thornton missed a jumper, but the Kings got a final chance after the turnover.Ariza missed a jumper as time expired.Trailing by six points early in the fourth quarter, the Kings ran off seven straight points to assume the lead. Fredette's 3-pointer ended the run, giving Sacramento an 85-84 advantage.The Hornets continued to shoot well in the third quarter, when they outscored the Kings 26-20. Jack scored eight points and Ariza had seven in the quarter. Vasquez made the Hornets' first 3-pointer of the game with 21 seconds remaining in the period, putting New Orleans ahead 80-78 heading into the fourth.Thomas scored 12 points and Thornton had 10, helping the Kings take a 58-54 lead into halftime. Jack and Kaman both scored 12 points in the opening half for the Hornets, who shot 57 percent.Notes: The latest Hornet with an injury was starting power forward Gustavo Ayon, who missed the game due to a sore left foot. . The Hornets are expected to sign Solomon Jones for the remainder of the season on Wednesday. Jones, who started against the Kings, is on the final day of his second 10-day contract. . The Kings attempted 14 3-point shots in the opening half while the Hornets shot just one.