Hawks hope to extend mastery of Kings
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(SportsNetwork.com) - The Atlanta Hawks have owned the Sacramento Kings in recent history and they will try to extend that domination Wednesday night at Philips Arena.
The Hawks have won 11 straight against Sacramento, including a 105-100 victory at Sleep Train Arena on Nov. 5. The last time the Kings beat the Hawks was Feb. 20, 2008 and the Hawks have taken six consecutive as the host.
The Hawks toppled the Los Angeles Lakers, 114-100, at home on Monday. Six Atlanta players scored in double figures and the Hawks tightened the clamps in a decisive third quarter that went their way, 35-19.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"In the third quarter, I thought our aggressiveness and our intensity on the defensive end set the tone for a good second half," said Atlanta head coach Mike Budenholzer.
Al Horford led the way 19 points and 11 rebounds. Jeff Teague also recorded a double-double in the victory with 17 points and 10 assists. Paul Millsap tallied 18 points, nine boards and four steals.
Kyle Korver was held scoreless in the first half but came alive in the third period, scoring all 11 of his points while extending his NBA record 3-point streak to 94 games.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}DeMarre Carroll (13) and Mike Scott (14) also cracked the 10-point mark.
The Kings started their four-game stint in the southeast with a 95-87 loss in Charlotte on Tuesday.
To compound the difficulty of the loss, Rudy Gay, who was just acquired in a trade with the Toronto Raptors, left in the third quarter with right knee stiffness.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I'll get treatment and shoot for trying to start tomorrow," Gay told The Sacramento Bee after the Bobcats loss.
Charlotte jumped all over the Kings in the first quarter, winning that period, 35-22. That proved to be more than enough as Sacramento lost for the third time in four games.
"For me, this game was lost in the first quarter," said Kings head coach Mike Malone. "You look at quarters two, three and four, we outscored them 65-60 and hold them to 38 percent from the field. I thought our defense after that first quarter was great."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The loss spoiled a sensational night from DeMarcus Cousins. He scored 30 points on 9-for-13 shooting and grabbed 17 rebounds.
Isaiah Thomas was the only other Sacramento player in double figures with 21 points.