The Sacramento Kings hosted Lindsey Hunter in his coaching debut for the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. Even with the Suns dead-last in the Western Conference, the Suns would make sure they wouldn't roll over.
The Kings lost Jason Thompson to foul trouble in the first quarter, but rookie Thomas Robinson stepped up in his absence.
The Kings started to take control with a 10-1 run late in the second quarter and led 57-49 at the half but their success wouldn't last long.
After the Suns fought back to take a 85-84 lead with 8:28 left on the game, the Kings shooting went cold and the turnovers piled up.
A season-high 25 turnovers, leading to 27 points for the Suns, and nine missed free throws plagued the Kings all night as they fell 106-96 at home to the Suns.
Robinson, the fifth pick in last year's NBA Draft, had the best game of his rookie season, tying his career-high of 12 points and adding a new career-high 14 rebounds.
DeMarcus Cousins grabbed his sixth-straight double-double with 15 points 15 rebounds and five assists and Tyreke Evans finished with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Luis Scola had 21 points and seven rebounds for the Suns (14-28) and Michael Beasley came off the bench for 19 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes.
Kings coach Keith Smart called the game a "very disappointing loss:"
Unfortunate for our team to lose this game. I don't take anything away from Phoenix. They made plays when they had to, but obviously we hurt ourselves by having that many turnovers.
From the worst team to the best team in the west, the Kings (16-27) will host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday at 7:00 p.m. PST.
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