Suns Continue Win Streak, Defeat Cousins-less Kings
The Phoenix Suns continued their scorching-hot play with a 115-106 victory over the Sacramento Kings for their fifth consecutive win.
Phoenix (17-14) was able to jump out to an early lead and hold on to that lead late in the contest without having to worry about Demarcus Cousins who was out with the stomach flu.
Five Suns players were able to score at least 16 points. Marcus Morris led Phoenix in scoring with 20 points including six three-pointers. Morris added nine rebounds and five assists as well in his most well-rounded outing of the season. Marcus’ brother Markieff chipped in with 17 points of his own.
Dec 26, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Marcus Morris (15) gains position on Sacramento Kings guard Ray McCallum (3) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Phoenix Suns defeated the Sacramento Kings 115-106. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Len also compiled one of the best games of his career with 10 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks in just 23 minutes. His efficiency in the paint went a long way toward helping the Suns hold on to their lead in the second half.
Alex Len scored 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting with a career-best 11 rebounds and career-best five blocks against the Kings on Friday.
— Fantasy Basketball (@FantasyBBallSST) December 27, 2014
The progression of Len playing more minutes than fellow center Miles Plumlee continued with Plumlee only playing 17 minutes on Friday and only added four points and six rebounds, but a very respectable five blocks.
The Suns have yet to lose a game since moving Len into the starting lineup with Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic, P.J. Tucker and Markieff Morris.
It was a great homecoming for former Sacramento King Isaiah Thomas who helped push the Suns lead to 15 points early in the fourth quarter. Thomas would finish with 17 points and five assists to help defeat his old club. Nine of his 17 points were scored in the fourth quarter.
The Kings dropped to 12-17 with the loss and are 2-9 in games without Cousins in the lineup.
Reggie Evans took Cousins’ spot in the lineup and played well, finishing with 11 points and 16 rebounds. Darren Collison scored a team-high 19 points and Rudy Gay also racked up 16 points.
The Suns will look to continue their winning streak as they continue their road trip in Los Angeles against the Lakers on Sunday.