The Kings played tough against the conference leading Warriors, but Golden State's offensive firepower buried Sacramento for the fourth time this season.
Late in the third quarter with the Kings already trailing 83-66, a confused Sacramento squad watched an inbounds ally-oop dunk connection from Warriors' star Stephen Curry to a wide-open Marreese Speights. It was the epitome of the game in one play—the Kings played aggressive for most of the contest, but continuously the Warriors discombobulated Sacramento with their offensive firepower.
Led by 26 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks from DeMarcus Cousins, the Kings held tough against the Western Conference leading Warriors but fell 121 to 96 at Sleep Train Arena. It was the Kings fourth loss this season to the Warriors and their ninth total loss in the past ten games.
Rudy Gay had 20 points for Sacramento, while Darren Collison added in 18 points and seven rebounds. Curry had 23 points and nine assists for the Warriors, while Andre Iguodala had 17 of Golden State's 61 bench points. After scoring 52 against the Kings on January 23rd, Klay Thompson had a relatively quiet night with 14 points.
Sacramento got off to a hot start to begin the game, taking a 20-10 lead with six minutes to go thanks to 11 quick points by Ben McLemore. The Warriors defense tightened up from that point and began to outrun the Kings; after a McLemore pair of free-throws with 4:43 left in the first put Sacramento up 22-14, the Warriors went on a 23-0 run before the Kings Sacramento managed another score.
It was more of the same in the second quarter, as the Warriors maintained a 15-20 point lead throughout. Golden State reserve Marreese Speights outdueled Cousins, scoring 11 points in eight minutes while getting chippy with Boogie. Sacramento finished the half trailing 63-42, shooting just 36.6% while the Warriors hit at a 57.6% clip.
The Kings rekindled some sparks early in the third, but the Warriors offensive machine continued to keep Golden State with a comfortable lead. A lay-up by Omri Casspi followed by a technical foul on Draymond Green cut the deficit to 78-61 with 6:16 left in the quarter, but that brief momentum was crushed by an immediate three from Green. The Warriors continued to take advantage of Sacramento miscues, and the Kings never got closer than a 89-78 deficit following a McLemore showtime dunk.
Sacramento finished the game shooting at a 44.3% clip, but managed just 17 assists while committing 18 turnovers. The Warriors shot 50.5% for the game and had 33 assists compared to just 11 turnovers, while also outrebounding the Kings 49-34.
The Kings will remain in Sacramento to take on the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday before heading out to Salt Lake City for a Saturday night contest against the Utah Jazz.
For the opponents perspective, check out the Golden State Of Mind.