SACRAMENTO, Calif. – DeMarcus Cousins had 17 points and 14 rebounds, and reserve guard Isaiah Thomas also scored 17 to help the Sacramento Kings beat the Orlando Magic 91-82 on Friday night.
After squandering an 11-point lead in the third quarter, the Kings regrouped in the fourth behind the strong play of their backups. Led by Thomas, who scored 11 points in the period, reserves played for much of the final quarter and produced a 15-2 run that propelled Sacramento to consecutive wins for the second time this season.
Jimmer Fredette had 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter for the Kings, who outscored the Magic 29-18. Jason Thompson added 12 points and Aaron Brooks 11. The Kings are 5-0 at home when leading at halftime.
Glen Davis had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Orlando, but fouled out in the final 36 seconds.
Arron Afflalo had 18 points and Jameer Nelson scored 17 for the Magic, who have lost two straight and five of seven. Andrew Nicholson added 14 points.
The Kings were without starting guard Tyreke Evans, who didn't play for the third time in four games with a sore right knee. Evans was a critical factor in the Kings' victory Wednesday over Toronto, making two 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter and scoring 23 points.
A fast-break layup by Afflalo cut the Sacramento lead to 81-78 with just under 3 minutes left. The Kings' final 10 points were free throws, including a pair by Cousins that stretched their cushion to 87-78 with 28 seconds remaining.
The Kings used a 15-2 run to take a nine-point lead, but Orlando responded on Davis' three-point play and a 3-pointer from Nelson to trim it to 79-76 with 3:40 left.
After losing the lead in the third quarter, the Kings regained it in the fourth behind the play of five reserves. Fredette connected on a corner 3 off a fast break for a 69-68 advantage at the 8:28 mark. A jumper by Fredette a short time later capped seven unanswered points for the Kings, who took a 73-68 lead.
Nelson had 10 points and Afflalo scored nine in the third period when the Magic shook off a poor first half and outscored the Kings 30-16. Nelson made all four third-quarter shots, including a pair of 3s.
Trailing 54-43 in the third, the Magic finally got going offensively, scoring 16 straight points. Afflalo scored the final five, hitting two free throws and a 3 that put Orlando in front 59-54 with 4:28 left in the quarter.
The Kings benefited in the first half from the inside play of Thompson and Cousins. Thompson had 10 points and six rebounds, while Cousins had nine points and eight rebounds in leading the Kings to a 46-34 halftime lead. Brooks also scored nine points for Sacramento.
Davis scored 10 first-half points for the Magic, who shot 35 percent. They were outrebounded 27-18 and committed nine turnovers.
NOTES: Francisco Garcia made his first start of the season in place of Evans. Garcia had played in only seven of the Kings' previous 17 games this season. ... Orlando missed all five of its 3-point attempts in the first half. ... Sacramento shot 32 percent in the third quarter and was outrebounded 13-7. ... Orlando concludes its five-game West Coast trip Sunday in Portland, while the Kings play five of the next six on the road, starting Saturday in Portland.
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