Kings 103, Jazz 96
KINGS 103, JAZZ 96: DeMarcus Cousins had 22 points and 18 rebounds as Sacramento handed Utah its fourth straight loss and extended the Jazz’s road woes.
Marcus Thornton scored 21 points and Isaiah Thomas added 18 points and eight assists for the Kings, who were playing their first home game since a tentative deal to build a new arena was announced Monday.
Devin Harris scored 18 points and Josh Howard tallied 15 for Utah, which is 3-12 on the road.
Cousins scored back-to-back baskets during a string of eight straight Sacramento points that helped the Kings take a 93-87 lead with less than four minutes to play.
Harris pulled Utah within 95-94 on a driving basket with 1:59 remaining but Sacramento closed the game by scoring eight of the final 10 points.
The Kings made 24 of 29 free throws, while Utah hit 11 of 22 attempts.
Tyreke Evans added 13 points for Sacramento.
C.J. Miles scored 13 points and Al Jefferson had 12 points for the Jazz.
Cousins had 10 points and 10 rebounds in the first half and the Kings led 47-44 at intermission.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Cousins has 21 double-doubles this season. … Jazz forward Derrick Favors had 11 rebounds to break a 16-game skid of failing to reach double figures on the boards. … Thomas is averaging 20.8 points over Sacramento’s last four games. … Utah’s Paul Millsap had four points after averaging 21.0 over the previous three games.