Sixers fall to struggling Sacramento Kings

Despite holding a 15-point lead at the half, the Philadelphia 76ers fell to DeMarcus Cousins and the Sacramento Kings, 114-110, on Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

PHILADELPHIA >> DeMarcus Cousins had 28 points and 12 rebounds, and Darren Collison scored 21 of his 25 points after halftime to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 114-110 comeback victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Rajon Rondo added 14 points, eight rebounds and 15 assists for the Kings, who snapped a four-game losing streak overall and six-game skid on the road while winning for just the second time in their last 10. It also allowed Sacramento to enter the break on a positive note following a tumultuous week that included rumors of the impending dismissal of coach George Karl.

Karl, however, was given a vote of confidence by general manager Vlade Divac on Tuesday. Losing to the 76ers, who dropped to 8-45, certainly wouldn’t have quieted Karl’s critics though.

Rookie Jahlil Okafor tied his career high with 26 points to go with 10 rebounds, and Robert Covington scored a career-high 29 points for the 76ers, who played without top big man Nerlens Noel.

Noel, who is averaging 10.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, was a late scratch due to right knee tendinitis.

The 76ers controlled the game throughout and led by 12 entering the fourth quarter. Sacramento slowly chipped away at the lead and finally went in front on Cousins’ 19-footer with 2 minutes, 19 seconds left that made it 106-105. The Kings were up 112-109 and had a chance to put the game away, but Cousins turned the ball over with 15.9 seconds remaining.

Rather than let Philadelphia try a tying 3-pointer, the Kings fouled Ish Smith and the 76ers guard made one of two. Collison then iced the game by making a pair of foul shots with 8.1 seconds left.

Philadelphia’s lead grew to asmany as 17 points in the third quarter when Nik Stauskas hit a 3-pointer tomake it 73-56 with 7:32 left in the period. The Kings scored 11 of the next 13 over 3:05 to get within 75-67. However, Cousins was forced to the bench on Philadelphia’s ensuing possession when he picked up his fourth foul and the 76ers took advantage, stretching their lead to 87-75 entering the fourth quarter.