DeMar DeRozan scored 22 points to lead six Sacramento players in double figures as the Kings snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 111-98 win over the visiting Houston Rockets on Sunday night.
The Kings shot 48.4% from the field and outscored the Rockets 19-8 over the final 5:55 to win for the first time since Dec. 27.
Malik Monk made back-to-back 3-pointers during a 10-0 run to give Sacramento a 104-92 lead with 2:33 left.
After Kevin Durant scored on Houston’s next possession, Russell Westbrook drilled a 3-pointer to extend the Kings’ lead to 107-94 with 2:01 remaining.
Zach LaVine scored 18 points for Sacramento, which had lost 17 of its previous 20 games. Westbrook had 15 points and 10 assists, Monk added 15 points, Maxime Raynaud scored 12, and Precious Achiuwa chipped in 10.
Amen Thompson matched his season high with 31 points and added 13 rebounds and six assists for Houston, which lost its third straight. Durant scored 23 points and Alperen Sengun added 19.
Rookie center Dylan Cardwell recorded career highs with nine points and 11 rebounds for Sacramento, which opened a seven-game homestand by outscoring Houston 33-22 in the fourth quarter.
Houston led 23-22 at the end of the opening quarter before DeRozan sparked the Kings with 11 points in the second period. Sacramento led 51-48 at the half after shooting 52.3% from the field.
DeRozan was 8-of-13 shooting for the game and became the 23rd player in NBA history to score 26,000 points.
The Kings moved ahead 74-69 on Achiuwa’s jumper with 3:21 left in the third quarter and led 78-76 at the end of the period.
After Westbrook scored with 8:21 left in the contest to put Sacramento ahead 92-85, the Rockets battled back and pulled within 94-92 on Sengun’s layup with 5:20 remaining.
Sengun returned after missing three games with a right ankle sprain and had nine rebounds and four assists in 35 minutes.
Sacramento played without guard Dennis Schroder, who began his three-game suspension after the NBA said he confronted and attempted to strike the Lakers’ Luka Doncic after a game on Dec. 28.
–Field Level Media