Despite this past week’s inter-team turmoil with franchise cornerstone DeMarcus Cousins cursing out coach George Karl and re-igniting their beef from this past summer when Karl asked management to trade the tempestuous star, the Kings have won their last two games, including last night’s 111-109 win over the visiting Nets. Rondo recorded his second-straight triple-double, becoming the first Kings player in the Sacramento era to earn three triple-doubles in four games. Guard Ben McLemore came off the bench to score 15 points for the Kings and reserve guard Marco Belinelli had 14.
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Rondo’s recent outburst has evoked memories of his best year with the Boston Celtics, when he averaged 11.8 points and 11.3 assists per game between the 2010 and 2013 seasons. Despite an assist to turnover ratio of 16-2 in the first half, the Nets finished with eight assists to 13 turnovers in the second half.
But with Joe Johnson – who had hit two three-pointers already in the quarter – wide open beyond the perimeter, inbounder Wayne Ellington tossed the pass off Willie-Cauley Stein’s outstretched wing, and the Nets fell just short.
“I kind of get caught up watching him (Rondo) play”, Cousins said about Rondo’s triple-double performance.
While Rondo did have an fantastic game, the man they call “Boogie” had himself a phenomenal game as well. “It is no secret that we are all frustrated with losing – me more than anyone”, Cousins said. “I don’t know. But I thought the last two days have been good for us”. McLemore drained a 3-point shot with 4:13 remaining, making it 100-93. “We weren’t able to stop the runs that they made in the second half”.
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The Kings were coming off just their second win of the season, a 101-92 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday at home. According to oddsmakers from online sports book Mybookie.ag, the over/under for tonight’s game now sits at 203.5 points while the Kings are 6.5-point favorites. Kings F Caron Butler, a 13-year veteran, started in Gay’s place…. He also played over 40 minutes for the fourth consecutive contest, with Darren Collison (hamstring) still sidelined.
