The Sacramento Kings went on an 18-6 run in the third quarter to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 123-114 to end a 16-game losing streak.
The Grizzlies went on a 13-5 run to lead 68-66 with 10:13 left in the third quarter. Precious Achiuwa’s floater put the Kings ahead for good with 9:36 left in the quarter. DeMar DeRozan scored 6 points during the run, and they led 84-74 with 5:34 left in the quarter.
The Grizzlies got within 94-91 on Scotty Pippen Jr.’s 2 free throws with 11:06 to play, but Daeqwon Plowden answered with a 3-pointer, and the Grizzlies got no closer.
Russell Westbrook had 25 points (10 in the fourth quarter) and 7 assists. Achiuwa added a season-high 22 points and 12 rebounds on 10 for 15 shooting. DeRozan added 19 points on 7 for 9 shooting, and Nique Clifford had 12 points (6 in the paint) and a career-high 6 steals off the bench. The Kings had 7 players in double-digit scoring.
For the Grizzlies, Javon Small had 21 points and a career-high 9 assists on 6 for 8 shooting off the bench. Rayan Rupert had 10 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals off the bench in his first game with the Grizzlies. Pippen had 6 points, 8 assists and 5 steals.
The Kings grabbed 13 offensive rebounds to the Grizzlies’ 9.