Suns struggle in crunch time, drop fourth straight in loss to Kings

Dec 12, 2017, 11:22 PM

Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss, left, keeps the ball away from Sacramento Kings forward Skal Labissiere during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — George Hill had 18 points and seven rebounds in his return to the starting lineup and the Sacramento Kings rallied late in the fourth quarter to beat the Phoenix Suns 99-92 on Tuesday night.

Zach Randolph added 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists, Buddy Hield scored 14 points and Willie Cauley-Stein had 13 points and six rebounds to help the Kings win for the second time in five games.

Sacramento trailed 85-80 with 6 minutes remaining then scored 13 consecutive points to take control. Randolph led the surge with eight points and an assist. The Kings’ big man made a three-point play after getting fouled by Tyson Chandler to secure the win.

The late scoring flurry was a change from the rest of the game when both teams struggled to score with much consistency.

Phoenix built an early 10-point lead in the first half but went scoreless for more than 5 minutes in the fourth quarter and lost their fourth straight.

The Suns, who have dropped nine of 11, fell to 0-3 since losing leading scorer Devin Booker to a left adductor strain,

T.J. Warren scored 18 points for Phoenix. Mike James added 17 points and five assists.

The teams combined for 15 lead changes before Sacramento pulled away behind Randolph.

Warren scored two quick buckets early in the fourth quarter and Dragan Bender made a 3-pointer to put the Suns up 85-80.

Randolph made back-to-back baskets then fed Hill for a reverse layup. After a 3 by Hield, Randolph made two free throws then scored down low to put the Kings up 93-85.

Tyler Ulis and James scored to cut the gap to 93-89 before Randolph’s three-point play.

TIP-INS

Suns: James, Troy Daniels, Josh Jackson and Bender made consecutive 3-pointers without a miss as part of a 12-2 run in the second quarter.

Kings: Sacramento committed nine turnovers. Hill returned to the starting lineup after sitting out one game for personal reasons. Cauley-Stein also played after missing three games with a lower back strain.

UP NEXT

Suns: Host Toronto on Wednesday in the second half of a back-to-back.

Kings: Play at Minnesota on Thursday.

Sacramento Kings forward Zach Randolph, left, drives against Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. The Kings won 99-92. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Sacramento Kings forward Skal Labissiere, left, and Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss battle for the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. The Kings won 99-92. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Sacramento Kings guard George Hill, center, goes to the basket between Phoenix Suns' Tyler Ulis, left, and Alex Len, right, during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Sacramento Kings guard George Hill, left, and Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson go for the ball during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Sacramento Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein, center, goes to the basket between Phoenix Suns' Dragan Bender, left, and Alex Len, during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss, left, keeps the ball away from Sacramento Kings forward Skal Labissiere during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Sacramento Kings forward Skal Labissiere, background, stuffs over Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren, right, points out that Sacramento Kings guard George Hill is out of bounds during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Phoenix Suns center Alex Len, right, hits the ball away from Sacramento Kings forward Zach Randolph during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. The Kings won 99-92. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren, left, goes to the basket against Sacramento Kings guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, of Serbia, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. The Kings won 99-92. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Phoenix Suns guard Mike James, center, goes to the basket between Sacramento Kings' Zach Randolph, left, De'Aaron Fox, second from right, and Willie Cauley-Stein, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. The Kings won 99-92. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

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