FINAL Jazz 107, Kings 104
It was yet another fourth-quarter letdown for the Kings.
Omri Casspi said his three pointer with 3.9 seconds slipped out of his hand, which is why he missed so badly.
But it shouldn't have come down to that shot. The Kings (12-36) contributed to their own demise with 20 turnovers that led to 25 points for Utah.
DeMarcus Cousins posted game highs of 25 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out wiht 22.2 seconds to play. Tyreke Evans finished with 21 points but also had a game-high six turnovers.
Al Jefferson led Utah (31-22) with 23 points. Deron Williams added 21 points and nine assists.
Neither Evans or Cousins stuck around for reporters. Evans ducked out a side door before answering questions. Cousins has perfected the art of not being around lately after games. But that usually happens after he plays bad.
In spite of the fouls, Cousins played well.
THIRD QUARTER Kings 87, Jazz 80
Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins were the best players on the court in the third. Cousins had 11 points and eight rebounds in the third. Evans scored 13 points in the third to help the Kings extend their lead.
Cousins stayed out of foul trouble, picking up just one in the quarter.
Cousins is up to 18 points and 11 rebounds. Cousins also had the only two assists for the Kings in the third.
Evans' big third gives him 10 points, matching the 19 points by Utah's Deron Williams.
At center, Cousins is a point off the pace set by Al Jefferson with 19, but he's beating Jefferson on the boards. Jefferson has only two rebounds.
HALFTIME Kings 56, Jazz 55
The Kings are getting everyone involved tonight. All 10 players that have played have scored.
How's this for balance? Five Kings have made at least three shots and no one has taken more than five shots.
If not for 12 turnovers that led to 16 points for Utah, the Kings might be leading comfortably.
Going into the third quarter there are some concerns. Utah guard Deron Williams started to have a bigger impact. He made all three of his field goals and is up to 11 points to go with six assists.
Utah is also shooting 54.5 percent. If the Kings cut down their turnovers Utah's shooting figures to get worse as the game progresses.
Omri Casspi leads the Kings with nine points on three made three pointers. DeMarcus Cousins, Beno Udrih and Samuel Dalembert each have seven points. Dalembert also has a game-high six rebounds.
FIRST QUARTER Kings 30, Jazz 30
Early on Al Jefferson is giving DeMarcus Cousins a lesson on scoring in the post.
Jefferson used good footwork to beat Cousins for two early baskets and made six of eight for a game-high 12 points.
Cousins, meanwhile is in foul trouble, picking up both on the offensive end. That left him with just two points and playing only 4:42 of the first quarter.
Jefferson isn't known to be a solid defender but if Cousins is in foul trouble Jefferson won't have to play much defense.
The Kings did get seven points from Samuel Dalembert in place of Cousins but the Kings aren't going to run plays for him like they would for Cousins.
And it would help the Kings if they didn't hurt themselves. Sacramento already has eight turnovers, leading to 12 points for the Jazz.
Neither team will brag on their defense to start the game. The Kings are shooting 60 percent. Utah is shooting 59.1 percent.
--Jason Jones
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