CLEVELAND - It's been said by many that Jason Thompson might be the most consistent King this season.
His scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and free throw percentage are all above his career averages while his personal fouls are below his career average, too.
Thompson is averaging 11.4 points and 7.8 rebounds while shooting 51.4 percent.
Thompson had a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds in the Kings 97-94 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.
Kings coach Keith Smart has come to rely on Thompson every night, even if he doesn't bring up Thompson often.
"J.T.'s one those guys that's a coach's dream because you always forget about him," Smart said. "You look at the stat sheet, you look at film, and you see this guy is doing all the little things. He's one of those utility men that on a basketball team you really, really need. I never worry about him. I know he's going to play to well all the time for the most part and give a good honest effort all the time."
Thompson did pick up his fifth technical foul of the season Wednesday. That might garner more attention if Thompson wasn't playing with DeMarcus Cousins, who has seven.
"We'll look at the film and see if he was really trying to pass the ball to the official as he said he was," Smart said.
*The Kings were happy to win a close game on the road (finally) after breaking down at Detroit late.
As Thompson put it, the Kings like to make things interesting and even did so against Cleveland after leading by 10 in the third quarter.
"We knew we had to get his one going to Toronto and then Brooklyn," said Francisco Garcia. "This is where confidence is built. We got this one. Now we've got to go to Toronto."
Added Smart:
"There are a lot of games where we've been right there. Then here comes a quick drive, a quick shot, a turnover, a missed block out, all those things. Fouling a guy at the wrong time. All of it came together for the most part (Wednesday). And that's been our Achilles' heel trying to close games out on the road."
"It's about patience, playing the clock and trying to take advantage of what the opponents are doing defensively as well as offensively."
*Here is DeMarcus Cousins (18 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, two steals) from postgame media time.
It also should be noted Cousins had only one turnover, a big sign he isn't rushing on the floor and picking up cheap offensive fouls.
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