Head coach Keith Smart addresses the media following the Kings' win over the Memphis Grizzlies at Power Balance Pavilion.
FINAL
Kings 119, Grizzlies 110
The Kings have showed lately they can score with just about any team, and did enough on the defensive end tonight against the Grizzlies, recording double-digit steals for the third game in a row.
The Kings matched their season-high with their third consecutive win. They finished with 28 assists and shot 53.4 percent from the floor.
It was the fifth time the Kings have shot 50 percent or better during their current homestand. They had done so just twice all season before that.
Marcus Thornton had 31 points and six assists. Jason Thompson had his fourth consecutive double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Isaiah Thomas finished with 18 points and seven assists.
DeMarcus Cousins had 23 points and five rebounds in a physical inside game before fouling out midway through the fourth quarter.
Rudy Gay had 23 points and six rebounds for the Grizzlies. Marc Gasol fell just shy of a triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and Mike Conley had 16 points and nine assists.
The Kings out-scored the Grizzlies in the paint, 74-64, and scored 21 points off of 14 Grizzlies turnovers.
THIRD QUARTER
Kings 93, Grizzlies 86
Marcus Thornton and DeMarcus Cousins combined for 20 points in the third quarter to help the Kings take a lead into the fourth.
Thornton has a game-high 30 points.
It was a rough quarter for Cousins. He got tangled up with Zach Randolph on one play and had to go to the locker room a few minutes later to get retaped.
Then with 1:01 left he was hit in the face and walked to the bench holding a towel to his face, apparently bleeding.
Chuck Hayes has five fouls, so Hassan Whiteside entered the game for Cousins.
Rudy Gay has a team-high 19 points for the Grizzlies.
HALFTIME
Kings 66, Grizzlies 56
The Kings closed the first half in a manner indicative of how they've won their last two games: Marcus Thornton stole the ball on defense and Jason Thompson finished the fast-break with a loud dunk off an extra pass, also by Thornton.
After the Grizzlies closed to within two points with about two minutes left, the Kings finished the second quarter strongly.
The Kings are shooting 63 percent and have 18 assists.
Thornton has a game-high 19 points. DeMarcus Cousins has 13 points and three rebounds.
Isaiah Thomas leads the Kings with four assists.
Rudy Gay leads the Grizzlies with 11 points and four rebounds, while Mike Conley has 10 points and four assists. Marc Gasol has nine points and six rebounds.
Tyreke Evans played 11 minutes in the second quarter and has four points and three assists.
FIRST QUARTER
Kings 37, Grizzlies 28
The sharp passing the Kings showed in wins over the Celtics and Timberwolves has been on display again tonight through one quarter.
The Kings already have 10 assists and are shooting 64 percent from the floor.
Marcus Thornton leads all scorers with 16 points. Isaiah Thomas has nine points and a team-high three assists. Jason Thompson has three points and five rebounds.
Tony Allen and Mike Conley each have eight points for the Grizzlies.
John Salmons started at small forward for the third consecutive game. Tyreke Evans, back in uniform tonight after missing the past two games with a sprained ankle, entered the game early in the second quarter.
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