Rajon Rondo hoped for cheers but probably knew better going into his first game in Dallas since an ugly split with the Mavericks last season.
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The Grizzlies were unable to contain DeMarcus Cousins, who had a monster double-double with 18 points and 16 rebounds.
The Memphis Grizzlies have displayed a lackluster offense in two defeats against the Utah Jazz but have been a more dynamic team since the latest matchup – even with their roster makeover.
The loss ended Dallas’ season-long six-game homestand on a sour note following Tuesday’s blowout of the Orlando Magic.
DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo each collected a double-double as the Kings finally beat the odds and stunned the Mavs 104-101 Thursday night at American Airlines Center. With Rondo on the floor this time, the Kings kept a safe distance until they started missing free throws in the final seconds.
The Mavs rallied from a 14-point deficit with 5:04 remaining and would have had a chance to send the game into overtime if they could have simply rebounded a missed free throw with 10.1 seconds remaining. Rondo, who finished with 18 points, 12 assists and three steals, was still three years removed from his National Basketball Association debut with the Boston Celtics.
Also a former Mavs player, Collison sealed the game with a pair of free throws with 4.2 seconds that gave the Kings a 104-99 lead.
“That was a good game for us”, Memphis coach Dave Joerger said.
“We just have to be aware and show urgency from the beginning of the game”, Cousins said, “and not when somebody lights a flame under our (butts)”.
“There weren’t many possessions where we didn’t have a good energy at the defensive end of the court”, Karl said. Wesley Matthews scored 21 points to lead Dallas.
Nowitzki had 16 points but missed all five of his 3-pointers as the Mavericks went 7 of 29 (24 percent) from beyond the arc and ended a three-game streak of shooting at least 50 percent.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Kawhi Leonard capped 30-point, 11-rebound performance with a huge 3-pointer in the final minute, and San Antonio extended its winning streak to seven games with a victory over New Orleans. “The last time we played here we gave them a Christmas present, and we didn’t want to do that again”, Kings coach George Karl said. “And I thought our focus had an anger to it. I don’t know if it was Rondo and/or what happened here the last time we played here”.
The Jazz are still on the outside looking in, but if ever they get to secure a spot in the post-season, it would not be much of a surprise as the Jazz have been one of the more impressive teams among the squads not initially thought of being part of the playoff picture.
Kings: Sacramento did have a playoff victory in Dallas since its last regular-season win. Although the Kings were triumphant in the first meeting at home in November, the Mavericks won the second encounter January 5 to extend their home winning streak in the series to 22 games. Ben McLemore was 2 of 7 from 3-point range and had 10 points as the Kings shot 28 percent (7 of 25) from 3. Williams had 15 points but was 6 of 17 from the field….
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On the season, Sacramento averages 107.2 points, 45.2 rebounds and 24.9 assists per game.
