MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Russell Westbrook scored 25 points and Precious Achiuwa had 22 points and 12 rebounds as the Sacramento Kings snapped a 16-game losing streak — the longest in franchise history — with a 123-114 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.
DeMar DeRozan and Daeqwon Plowden each finished with 20 points, and Plowden scored 10 in the fourth quarter. Sacramento has the worst record in the NBA and had not won since beating Washington on January 16.
Javon Smalls led Memphis with 21 points and nine assists. Olivier-Maxence Prosper contributed 17 and GG Jackson added 16.
The Grizzlies rallied to take the lead early in the third quarter, but the Kings responded with an 18-6 run to build the first double-digit lead of the game midway through the period.
Sacramento led 92-89 entering the fourth and took a comfortable lead with a 15-4 run, capped by Westbrook’s 3-pointer with 8:45 left.
Injuries to key players have left both teams looking to the future. Memphis is in 11th place in the Western Conference and has played most of the games with lineups made up of available players. Eight Grizzlies were on the injured list for Monday’s game.
The Kings went into halftime up 63-61, as both teams shot over 54%. With the Grizzlies without an active player taller than the 6-foot-5 Jackson, Sacramento’s height advantage was evident, as Achiuwa had 14 points and 11 rebounds before halftime.
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