SACRAMENTO -- The Sacramento Kings’ starting unit dug a huge hole Friday night against the Houston Rockets. Despite the bench’s best efforts, the Kings dropped their fourth straight game by a final of 116-110 and now sit at 1-5 on the season.
Trailing by as many 20, the Kings went on the offensive. Omri Casspi played out of his mind off the bench, scoring 22 points on 8-for-10 shooting in 32 minutes of action. Darren Collison added 22 points and nine assists as the Kings made an incredible late charge.
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Ben McLemore had his best game of the season, finishing with 11 points, four assists and four rebounds. Seldom used Seth Curry came out firing on his way to eight points in 15 minutes of action.
Harden didn’t drop 51 on the Kings like he did the last time these two met, but he still managed a game-high 43 points on 13-for-23 shooting. Harden chipped in a career-high 13 assists in the win.
Trevor Ariza added 18 points and eight rebounds, including two big 3-pointers down the stretch. Second-year big man Clint Capela chipped in 13 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks as the Rockets improved to 3-3 on the season.
STANDOUT PERFORMER -- Casspi did everything in his power to win this game. Playing against his former team, the 27-year-old forward changed the entire tempo of this game and even dropped in a 28-foot 3-pointer. Harden dropped in 43, but this game was over in the third quarter without Casspi’s effort.
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TURNING POINT -- After cutting the Houston lead to two with just over nine minutes remaining, Sacramento missed an open 3-pointer that would have given them the lead. Houston responded with an 8-0 run, all but ending the Kings’ threat.
INJURY UPDATE --DeMarcus Cousins missed his third straight game and is not scheduled to play Saturday night against the Golden State Warriors. He will be reevaluated by the team on Monday before they take on the San Antonio Spurs. The Rockets rested big man Dwight Howard Friday night and were without the services of Patrick Beverly (illness), Donatas Montiejunas (back) and Terrence Jones (eye laceration).
WHAT'S NEXT -- The Kings are back at it Saturday night, playing for the fourth time in five nights. They face MVP Stephen Curry and his undefeated Golden State Warriors at Sleep Train Arena. Sacramento returns to their home court on Monday to take on Tim Duncan, LaMarcus Aldridge and the San Antonio Spurs.