Kings stun Cavaliers in OT
CLEVELAND -- LeBron James put the franchise and everyone in it on notice Monday night. This wasn't the response anyone expected.
Arron Afflalo's 3-pointer from the wing gave the Sacramento Kings a 116-112 overtime victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday after James missed a deep 3-pointer with 10 seconds left that would have tied the game.
James recorded his second triple-double in as many games with 24 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, but the defending champions lost for the sixth time in their last eight games.
Kyle Korver's 3-pointer with 7:43 to play in regulation put the Cavs ahead 97-87, but the Kings scored the game's next 11 points to take the lead in what has been a recurring problem for the Cavs this season.
James called out the organization and his teammates following Monday's loss at New Orleans, questioning whether the organization was satisfied with only one championship and calling the roster "top heavy."
Kevin Love scored 21 points and grabbed 16 rebounds Wednesday and Kyrie Irving scored 20 points, but the Cavs shot 17 of 34 from the free-throw line. Foul shooting was also their problem in Saturday's loss at San Antonio when they made 12 of 22.
DeMarcus Cousins registered 28 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and three steals for the Kings, who won for the second time in as many games after losing five straight. Afflalo scored 14 and Darren Collison scored 23 points.
Collison's layup with 35 seconds left in overtime gave the Kings a 112-111 lead before Love split a pair of free throws with 30.8 seconds left to tie the game at 112.
Afflalo countered with what turned out to be the game-winning 3-pointer when James launched a questionable 3 off an inbounds pass from 34 feet.
The Cavs had a chance to win it at the end of regulation when James tried inbounding to Love at half court coming out of a timeout, but Cousins was grabbing Love by the jersey and never let him get the ball. The officials did not call a foul as Cousins grabbed the steal and heaved a 38-footer that missed, sending the game to overtime.
NOTES: The Kings are in the midst of a season-high, eight-game road trip. "We try to break it up a little bit, try to do something different at practice," coach Dave Joerger said. "Keep guys loose, keep guys fresh. not wear them out. We all think we're getting the wrong end of it, but it does come around. I think we're OK. At that point, you become a traveling team." ... Kings F Omri Casspi (right calf tendon strain) missed his sixth consecutive game. Joerger doesn't know how long Casspi will be out. ... Cavs F Richard Jefferson was excused from the team for personal reasons. There is no timetable for his return. ... Cleveland C Chris "Birdman" Andersen is walking without crutches or a brace following surgery to repair his torn ACL. Andersen, who turns 39 this summer, said he intends to play next season and then retire. "I'm not going out on an injury," Andersen said.