Sacramento at Charlotte

[Real Deal]

TIME: 7:00 PM ET

TV: NBALP

[Built Ford Tough]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Sacramento Kings were determined Saturday night to make amends after one of their most embarrassing defeats of the season just 24 hours earlier.

 

Mission accomplished.

 

Marcus Thornton scored 18 points off the bench, Tyreke Evans came up big down the stretch, and the Kings held on to beat the Charlotte Bobcats 97-93 for their third win in four games.

 

After scoring just 69 points in a 16-point loss to Memphis, the Kings made sure there would not be another offensive letdown.

 

They led most of the way but needed a late burst from Evans, who scored six of the team's last nine points in the final four minutes. He finished with 16 for the game.

 

DeMarcus Cousins added 17 points and 10 rebounds, and James Johnson chipped in with nine points and a season-high nine rebounds for the Kings (16-25).

 

"This was a great win for us," Johnson said. "We're struggling a little bit, especially after last night. Memphis had their way with us and we looked like a team that gave up -- and that's not us. We wanted to get back to our fundamentals and outplay them and outrun them."

 

Cousins said: "Now hopefully we can come out Monday against New Orleans and do the same thing."

 

Kemba Walker had a chance to tie the game but shot an airball on a 3-point attempt with 3 seconds left as Charlotte lost its 14th straight game at home. Walker had 14 points and 10 assists.

 

Ramon Sessions scored 16 points for Charlotte (10-30) while Gerald Henderson chipped in with 15.

 

"Our guys did a good job of moving the ball and making that extra pass tonight," Kings coach Keith Smart said of his team's 24 assists.

 

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=400278313