DeMar DeRozan scored 25 points (12 in the first quarter), and the San Antonio Spurs went on a 27-10 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters to beat the Sacramento Kings 113-104 to end a 5-game losing streak.
The Kings went on a 14-2 run to lead 77-69 with 3:03 left in the third quarter. Dejounte Murray’s 13-foot fadeaway put the Spurs ahead for good with 10:32 left in the fourth quarter. He scored 10 points and Rudy Gay added 9 during the run. The Spurs led 96-87 with 7:17 left.
The Kings got within 103-102 on Buddy Hield’s 3-pointer with 2:37 to play, but Murray answered with a 16-foot jumper, and the Kings got no closer.
During clutch time, the Spurs outscored the Kings 9-7. Lonnie Walker IV scored 6 of the Spurs’ 9 on 3 for 3 shooting.
Murray had 22 points and 7 assists, and Jakob Poeltl added 11 points (10 in the paint), 10 rebounds and 4 blocks.
For the Kings, Terence Davis had 24 points and 3 steals off the bench.
The Spurs went 17 for 19 at the line to the Kings’ 9 for 15. The Kings got 4 offensive rebounds, about 5 fewer than usual for the shots they missed. They outscored the Spurs 17-2 on the fast break. The Kings’ starters were outscored 40-28 in 14 minutes together. Richaun Holmes fouled out.