Both the Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings came into Sunday’s contest at Sleep Train Arena looking to build off of back-to-back wins.
The Cavaliers were coming off of two blowout victories over the Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz, both coming after the big trade for Luol Deng. While not facing the stiffest competition, the move certainly seemed to rally the Cavs on the court this week and give them new life for the second half of the season.
Until the Kings ran them out of the gym tonight.
“Gotta learn from this…#ontothenextone ”
— Kyrie Irving (@KyrieIrving) January 13, 2014
While the Cavs may not have an impressive record (13-24), they have been fairly competitive in most of their recent games. Especially after falling behind by 43 points in San Antonio very early in the season. The last time they completely failed to show up was about three weeks ago against the Detroit Pistons, coming off the heels of three back breaking losses in a row (including two game winners not in their favor).
Tonight got ugly, especially in the second half. After a Luol Deng three-pointer was rescinded, turning the score back to 53-46, the Cavaliers never recovered.
Sacramento scored 16 straight points in the third quarter to break the game wide open, and effectively break the spirit of the Cavaliers (who were already frustrated with as Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters could not find their strokes).
Irving, who has quietly put together an impressive six-week stretch of basketball since going scoreless in Atlanta, missed 11-of-14 shots, 3-of-4 free throws, and finished with seven points. Waiters scored four points off the bench on 1-of-4 shooting.
When it was all said and done, the Kings finished the game with a 124-80 victory, and once led by 46 points.
Ouch.
The Kings (13-22) were looking to build off wins against Portland and Orlando, and now have won three in a row for the first time this season.
3 in a row .. Good way to close out the home stand. Road trip ! #Kings
— Derrick Williams (@RealDwill7) January 13, 2014
Isaiah Thomas led the Kings with 26 points, who seemed to have his way whenever he wanted with the Cavs backcourt.
Oh, and that road trip Derrick Williams references? That begins with the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, followed by Minnesota, Memphis, OKC, New Orleans and Houston.
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Ben Baroff is a basketball journalist who blogs for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter here.