FINAL
Suns 106, Kings 96
Thanks to a big fourth quarter from Michael Beasley, the Suns ended up pulling away from the Kings in the final half of the fourth in interim coach Lindsey Hunter's debut.
Beasley scored 13 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter.
The Kings couldn't stop Beasley or get of their own way with a season-high 25 turnovers. The Suns scored 27 points off turnovers, which made up for being outrebounded 49-30.
The Kings (16-27) have now lost their last two games.
DeMarcus Cousins had 15 points and 15 rebounds, but didn't shoot any free throws even though he appeared to absorb plenty of contact. Evans even went to speak with an official after game with team security standing nearby.
Tyreke Evans had a team-high 16 points.
Rookie Thomas Robinson had career highs with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
Luis Scola led Phoenix (14-28) with 21 points. Goran Dragic had 12 points and 11 assists.
THIRD QUARTER
Kings 77, Suns 74
If the Kings can clean up their own mistakes and make free throws, they will be in good position to win tonight.
The Kings have 17 turnovers and are just 13 of 20 on free throws. That's allowing the Suns to hang around in a game the Kings are shooting 49.2 percent and have a 40-25 rebounding advantage.
DeMarcus Cousins has 15 points and 13 rebounds. Thomas Robinson has 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Goran Dragic has 10 points and nine assists for Phoenix. Luis Scola has 12 points, but also has four fouls, which has limited him to 19 minutes.
HALFTIME
Kings 57, Suns 49
The Kings received a boost from their second-unit and it sparked a big second quarter. James Johnson made all five of his shots and has 11 points. Marcus Thornton has eight points while Thomas Robinson has six points and eight rebounds.
The starters weren't all bad. DeMarcus Cousins has nine points and 10 rebounds. Tyreke Evans has nine points and three rebounds.
Thanks to Cousins and Robinson the Kings have a 29-17 rebounding advantage.
After a slow start the Kings are shooting 53.5 percent. The shooting has helped make up for 12 turnovers that have led to 14 points for the Suns.
Luis Scola has 10 points for Phoenix. Goran Dragic has six points and six assists.
FIRST QUARTER
Suns 30, Kings 27
It was another poor shooting start for the Kings (42.9 percent) but a three pointer by DeMarcus Cousins at the buzzer pulled Sacramento within three points.
Cousins has seven points and five rebounds but missed six of his nine shots. He's not getting the benefit of calls from the officials. Even though his headband has been knocked around, he hasn't shot a free throw.
Luis Scola and Jared Dudley each have eight points for Phoenix, which shot 56.5 percent in the quarter.
It's the first game for interim head coach Lindsey Hunter.
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