Houston Rockets 106 Sacramento Kings 110-Recap

Dec 29, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin (7) reacts to action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

It appeared after 47 minutes of play that the Houston Rockets would close out 2013 on a happy note. But DeMarcus Cousins rose to the occasion in the final minute to help the Sacramento Kings steal a 110-106 win at Toyota Center.

Cousins finished with 17 points and 16 rebounds, while Rudy Gay led the way with 25 points. Isaiah Thomas also added 17 points and 10 assists.

James Harden exploded for 38 points, including shooting 5 for 11 from behind the 3-point line, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. Dwight Howard added 15 points and 8 rebounds, while Jeremy Lin finished with 14 points and 6 assists.

The Rockets struggled from the 3-point line once again, shooting just 25 percent(7 for 28) for the game, and committed 16 turnovers, leading to 18 fast-break points for the Kings.

Sacramento Kings

STARTERS

MIN

FG

3PFG

FT

OREB

DREB

REB

AST

STL

BLK

TO

PF

+/-

PTS

28

3-3

0-0

2-2

2

1

3

1

1

0

0

4

+8

8

42

9-19

1-4

6-6

2

4

6

2

1

0

2

4

+10

25

33

7-13

0-0

3-4

2

14

16

2

4

1

4

3

+6

17

35

6-17

1-4

4-6

0

1

1

10

1

0

0

1

+6

17

25

5-12

2-7

1-2

1

3

4

3

0

0

0

5

0

13

BENCH

MIN

FG

3PFG

FT

OREB

DREB

REB

AST

STL

BLK

TO

PF

+/-

PTS

19

0-1

0-0

0-0

0

1

1

2

1

1

2

0

-4

0

7

0-0

0-0

0-0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

0

0

9

2-3

0-0

1-1

0

3

3

0

0

0

1

1

-3

5

8

0-0

0-0

0-0

0

2

2

0

0

0

1

2

-6

0

13

4-8

0-2

2-2

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

-1

10

20

6-9

3-5

0-0

2

1

3

2

1

0

1

4

+4

15

DNP COACH’S DECISION

DNP COACH’S DECISION

TOTALS

FG

3PFG

FT

OREB

DREB

REB

AST

STL

BLK

TO

PF

PTS

Fast break points:   18
Points in the paint:   54
Total Team Turnovers (Points off turnovers):   13 (15)

Houston Rockets

STARTERS

MIN

FG

3PFG

FT

OREB

DREB

REB

AST

STL

BLK

TO

PF

+/-

PTS

45

5-9

0-0

5-11

3

5

8

2

0

1

3

3

-4

15

36

6-10

0-2

0-0

2

9

11

1

2

4

2

2

-5

12

40

5-11

1-7

2-6

1

4

5

1

1

1

3

4

+2

13

35

7-10

0-2

0-0

0

2

2

6

2

1

2

4

-2

14

39

12-26

5-11

9-10

3

7

10

1

2

0

5

5

-8

38

BENCH

MIN

FG

3PFG

FT

OREB

DREB

REB

AST

STL

BLK

TO

PF

+/-

PTS

15

2-7

1-1

1-2

3

2

5

2

3

0

1

1

+2

6

15

1-5

0-3

2-2

2

0

2

3

0

0

0

3

-4

4

16

1-3

0-2

2-2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

-1

4

DNP SPRAINED RIGHT KNEE

DNP COACH’S DECISION

DNP COACH’S DECISION

DNP

DNP COACH’S DECISION

TOTALS

FG

3PFG

FT

OREB

DREB

REB

AST

STL

BLK

TO

PF

PTS

Fast break points:   20
Points in the paint:   58
Total Team Turnovers (Points off turnovers):   16 (23)

Trailing 58-52 at halftime, Harden would explode for 16 points in the 3rd quarter, and after he was called for his 4th foul, which resulted in a technical foul, he scored 7 straight points to put the Rockets up 78-77. Omri Casspi drained a 3-pointer, and Francisco Garcia’s layup capped off a 9-2 run to close out the quarter.

Leading 86-80 to start the 4th quarter, the Rockets suddenly hit the wall offensively, starting the final frame just 1 for 11 from the field, while the Kings would tie the game at 90 with just over 6 minutes remaining. Harden would then score 8 of the next 14 points, pushing the Rockets lead to 104-101 with 1:40 left.

Cousins would then take his turn to rise, scoring the next 4 points to put the Kings up 105-104. He then stole the ball on the following possession when Harden would try to penetrate, leading to a Ben McLemore layup, and took a charge on the other end as Harden went up for a layup to seal the game.