(Sports Network) - The Sacramento Kings try to put the brakes on a six-game
slide this evening when they visit the Washington Wizards in the final game
before the All-Star break for both teams.
Sacramento's losing ways continued on Wednesday, as it was upended by the red-
hot Miami Heat, 120-108.
Jason Thompson and Tyreke Evans each had double-doubles for Sacramento.
Thompson posted 16 points to go with 10 rebounds and Evans had 21 points and
10 assists. Isaiah Thomas donated 24 points to pace the Kings, who haven't
lost seven straight games since an eight-game skid from Dec. 11-27, 2010.
Sacramento, which has lost seven in a row to the Heat and 10 in a row in
Miami, also turned the ball over 15 times leading to 25 points and allowed
Miami to shoot 55.6 percent.
"We had to play a perfect game to win against this team and we were pretty
close to a perfect game," said Kings coach Keith Smart. "We had moments, but
when you give up 25 points off of turnovers, you are not going to beat many
teams."
Sacramento's troubles could continue tonight at Verizon Center, where it has
lost six in a row and seven of eight. On the year, the Kings are a mere 3-16
away from home this season.
Washington, meanwhile, also comes into tonight's tilt trying to break a losing
streak, as it has lost three in a row following a 104-88 setback to the
Phoenix Suns on Monday.
Jordan Crawford netted 20 points off the bench to pace Washington, which has
dropped three straight. JaVale McGee, John Wall and Roger Mason Jr. each
scored 10 points in a losing effort.
Washington, which will be returning home after a going 2-3 on a five-game road
trip, actually led by a point early in the third quarter, but was outscored
31-6 the remainder of the period to seal its fate.
"Selfish is what happened. We became selfish," said Wizards coach Randy
Wittman. "We didn't share the ball and tried to do everything one-on-one and a
good team like Phoenix is going to take that away from you.
"That's all it was. I'm not going to put up with that. That's something we
haven't been doing and I believe we were up one and go on a spree of the most
selfish basketball I've seen since I've taken over. I've got to find the right
people to find the right way to play but I'm not letting that slip back in."
The Wizards are 4-12 in their building this season.
The Sports Network