By the Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — De’Aaron Fox scored 10 of his 27 points in the final five minutes and the Sacramento Kings overcame a 20-point deficit in the first half to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 128-123 on Thursday night, ending an eight-game losing streak.
Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) and forward Richaun Holmes (22) defend against Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Buddy Hield had 26 points and seven rebounds to help the Kings win for the first time since beating Golden State on Dec. 15. Richaun Holmes added 18 points and seven rebounds, and Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 16 points.
The Kings allowed 42 points in the first quarter and 37 in the third but held the Grizzlies to 13 through the first 10 ½ minutes of the fourth quarter, one of the best defensive stretches of the season by coach Luke Walton’s team.
Sacramento took control with a 14-4 run after trailing 106-104 with 5:11 to go.
Ja Morant, the Western Conference rookie of the month for December, had 23 points and seven assists for Memphis. Jonas Valanciunas added 18 points and 12 rebounds.
The Grizzlies led 42-26 after the first quarter and took a 97-90 advantage into the fourth.
Before the game a moment of silence was held for former NBA Commissioner David Stern. At halftime, a tribute to Stern played on the giant video scoreboard. Stern died Wednesday at the age of 77.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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