Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets - Full Highlights - April 2, 2016 - NBA 2015-16 Season
- 8 years ago
Recap
DENVER - DeMarcus Cousins was back in Sacramento, but it didn't make a difference. The Denver Nuggets can't figure out how to beat the Kings this season.
Rudy Gay scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Ben McLemore had eight of his 14 in a decisive run in the fourth quarter, and the shorthanded Kings beat Denver 115-106 on Saturday night.
Seth Curry scored 17 off the bench and Darren Collison and Willie Cauley-Stein had 14 each for the Kings.
"It helps when guys who haven't been major responsible players have an opportunity to contribute in a major win," Sacramento coach George Karl said.
The Kings (31-46) played without Cousins and Rajon Rondo, who stayed in Sacramento. Denver was glad Cousins didn't travel after he averaged 38 points, 14.5 rebounds and three blocks in the first two games between the teams.
Even without two of their best players, the Kings rallied to sweep the season series from the Nuggets.
Gary Harris scored 19 points and Emmanuel Mudiay and Joffrey Lauvergne had 15 apiece for Denver (32-46).
"We just sucked tonight, bottom line," Mudiay said. "Offense, defense, it was a bad loss."
It was even tougher coming after coach Michael Malone praised his team for playing hard to the end of the season. The Nuggets had a winning record in March after four months with losing records, and Malone said he is preparing for every game like there is something to play for.
"We're trying to develop good habits," he said before Saturday's loss. "Next year, when we're into game 78 these games will be meaningful games as we're fighting for a playoff spot. It's important for the young nucleus that we have to fight through that fatigue and be mentally tough to get through it. Even though we're not playing for the playoffs we are playing for the playoffs, we are playing for the future, we are playing for the foundation."
That progress took a step back the last two games.
DENVER - DeMarcus Cousins was back in Sacramento, but it didn't make a difference. The Denver Nuggets can't figure out how to beat the Kings this season.
Rudy Gay scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Ben McLemore had eight of his 14 in a decisive run in the fourth quarter, and the shorthanded Kings beat Denver 115-106 on Saturday night.
Seth Curry scored 17 off the bench and Darren Collison and Willie Cauley-Stein had 14 each for the Kings.
"It helps when guys who haven't been major responsible players have an opportunity to contribute in a major win," Sacramento coach George Karl said.
The Kings (31-46) played without Cousins and Rajon Rondo, who stayed in Sacramento. Denver was glad Cousins didn't travel after he averaged 38 points, 14.5 rebounds and three blocks in the first two games between the teams.
Even without two of their best players, the Kings rallied to sweep the season series from the Nuggets.
Gary Harris scored 19 points and Emmanuel Mudiay and Joffrey Lauvergne had 15 apiece for Denver (32-46).
"We just sucked tonight, bottom line," Mudiay said. "Offense, defense, it was a bad loss."
It was even tougher coming after coach Michael Malone praised his team for playing hard to the end of the season. The Nuggets had a winning record in March after four months with losing records, and Malone said he is preparing for every game like there is something to play for.
"We're trying to develop good habits," he said before Saturday's loss. "Next year, when we're into game 78 these games will be meaningful games as we're fighting for a playoff spot. It's important for the young nucleus that we have to fight through that fatigue and be mentally tough to get through it. Even though we're not playing for the playoffs we are playing for the playoffs, we are playing for the future, we are playing for the foundation."
That progress took a step back the last two games.