DARREN Collison drilled the game-winning free throws as the Sacramento Kings held off the slumping Memphis Grizzlies, 91-90, at the Golden 1 Center on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time).
The Kings led by seven midway through the fourth, before Zach Randolph and JaMychal Green powered an 8-0 blitz to get the Grizzlies ahead 86-85 with 2:27 to go. A pair of free throws by Buddy Hield gave the Kings back the lead, and Willie Cauley-Stein extended Sacramento’s advantage to three with a short stab, but Mike Conley got the Grizzlies back within one, 89-88, with 48 seconds remaining.
Randolph drew a loose ball foul in the next play, and the Grizzlies vet sank his charities to regain the advantage 90-89 with 32.9 ticks to go. The Kings then turned the ball over in the ensuing possession, but Conley missed on a jumper and Collison drew a foul on the rebound play. The Kings point guard drilled the go-ahead free throws with five seconds remaining and held on to the win after Randolph missed on a three at the buzzer.
Collison led the Kings (29-45), winners of two straight games, with 23 points. Hield added 14 markers and Cauley-Stein chipped in 12.
Conley had 22 to lead the Grizzlies (40-34), who have lost four in a row, while Randolph had a double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds. Brandan Wright added 11 off the bench.