FINAL
Pistons 114, Kings 108
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - The Kings lost their fourth consecutive game, blowing an 11-point lead in the second half.
The Kings allowed 19 fast break points in the second half.
DeMarcus Cousins led the Kings with 26 points and 15 rebounds, but the Kings probably didn't get him the ball enough in the fourth quarter when the Pistons (10-22) took over behind Rodney Stuckey (36 points), Brandon Knight (23 points, career-high 10 assists) and Tayshaun Prince (22 points).
The Kings (10-20) shot 50 percent, just the second time they've shot 50 percent or better this season. The Kings have lost both of those games.
THIRD QUARTER
Kings 88, Pistons 86
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - The Kings are shooting 54.7 percent but are barely ahead after big third quarters for Detroit by Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey.
Stuckey scored 13 of his season-high 31 points in the third. Prince had 10 of his 18 points in the third. The Pistons managed to get 13 fast break points in the third, too.
DeMarcus Cousins has 18 points and nine rebounds for the Kings. Tyreke Evans has eight points and nine assists.
HALFTIME
Kings 60, Pistons 56
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - So far the Kings are shooting better than they have in a while (55.8 percent) and piling up assists (16 at half after 15 total Wednesday in New York).
The Kings have 25 fast beak points and 14 points off nine Detroit turnovers.
The Pistons are hanging around because their guards have combined for 38 points. Rodney Stuckey has 18 points, Brandon Knight has 13 points and Ben Gordon has seven points off the bench.
Marcus Thornton leads the Kings with 18 points. DeMarcus Cousins has 12 points and six rebounds.
FIRST QUARTER
Kings 31, Pistons 24
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Kings coach Keith Smart unveiled a new starting lineup and so far it's working.
Isaiah Thomas replaced John Salmons in the lineup, making Tyreke Evans the Kings small forward with Marcus Thornton playing shooting guard. Jason Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins were the other starters.
Thomas had a team-high 10 points for the Kings. Rodney Stuckey leads the Pistons with 18 points.
The lineup Smart started is one that has closed many games. And after the Kings' lackluster starts lately, starting Thomas adds needed energy to the lineup.
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