by James Ham & Jonathan Santiago

Playing to their potential.

Each starter for the Sacramento Kings played stellar in a thrilling 114-106 overtime victory at home over the Golden State Warriors.

“We were clicking on all cylinders tonight,” said big man DeMarcus Cousins, who posted his first-career 20-20 game.  ”But we’ve still got a lot of growing to do.  We’ve still got room for improvement so we’re going to continue to grow and get better.”

The Kings led by 11-points going into the fourth quarter.  But the Warriors’ bench, particularly Nate Robinson and Klay Thompson brought Golden State back in the game.  The two guards combined for 24 of the Warriors’ 26 points in the final period.

However, the Kings dominated in overtime – outscoring the Warriors 12-4 en route to victory.

“This group has shown from day one that they have the ability to get back in games – especially at home,” said Kings Head Coach Keith Smart.  ”They haven’t done that yet on the road, but (they have)…at home with our crowd and our fan base.”

Leading by one going into the fourth quarter, the Sacramento Kings let one slip away Tuesday night in Oakland.  The Golden State Warriors’ bench closed out the Kings in a 93-90 win earlier this week.  Now playing host, Sacramento looks for payback tonight at Power Balance Pavilion.

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Despite the victory, Jimmer Fredette’s first career “Did Not Play – Coach’s Decision” caused a bit of a stir among fans following last night’s contest against the Portland Trailblazers.  With the full roster now available for the first time since becoming Sacramento Kings head coach, I asked Keith Smart about his rotation moving forward at practice today.  Hopefully, his answers clear up any outrage from those appalled by his decision to sit the rookie point guard (keyword – hopefully).

More notes and quotes from practice after the jump.

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Isaiah Thomas plays with a bravado bigger than his 5’9 frame would suggest.

“I’ve just always had confidence in myself,” said the Sacramento Kings rookie point guard in the locker room after Thursday night’s three-point win over the Portland Trailblazers.  ”And then, I have the respect and confidence from my teammates.  That gives me even more confidence in myself to play the game because my teammates trust me and believe in me.”

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by James Ham & Jonathan Santiago

Big nights from John Salmons and Marcus Thornton catapulted the Sacramento Kings to a 95-92 win over the Portland Trailblazers Thursday night at Power Balance Pavilion.

Sacramento Kings Head Coach Keith Smart said of Salmons after the game: “He’s putting work in and he’s a proud pro…The things that he is doing, other than scoring, have been great.”

And of Thornton: “As I said before, Marcus is a know-how guy and he’s going to make plays to keep us in the game…on both sides of the ball.”

The Kings trailed by as many as 13 points, but managed to tie the game 63-63with three minutes left in the third quarter.

Fast forward to the final period.  With 19.2 seconds left, Kings guard Tyreke Evans scored on a 17-foot jumper to put Sacramento up five. But following the basket, likely all-star LaMarcus Aldridge scored on a layup, trimming the Kings’ lead to three.

In the ensuing possession, Trailblazers forward Gerald Wallace forced Thornton into a turnover. However, Portland was unable to capitalize on the opportunity and missed two three-point attempts before time expired.

The victory improves the Kings record to 7-15 overall, 5-4 at home. Next up for Sacramento?  A rematch with the Golden State Warriors, who defeated the Kings 93-90 in Oakland on Tuesday.

The Sacramento Kings guard discusses his return as well as the collision with Gerald Wallace in the second half of tonight’s 95-92 win over the Portland Trailblazers.

In two meetings this season, the Portland Trailblazers put the pressure on the Sacramento Kings.  And the Kings wilted, losing by 22 points in December and 12 points just last week.  Maybe third time’s the charm as the Kings play host to the Blazers this time around at Power Balance Pavilion.

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He hasn’t played in almost two weeks.  But Marcus Thornton is eager to return as soon as possible.

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Sacramento Kings Head Coach Keith Smart started the fourth quarter tonight with most of his starting unit on the bench. And that was all the Golden State Warriors needed.

The home team jumped all over their in-state rivals with a 9-0 run in the first five minutes of the fourth, getting enough separation for a 93-90 win in Oakland.

Brandon Rush lit up the Kings, scoring a team-high 20 points on 4-for-5 shooting off the bench for Golden State.  David Lee and Dorell Wright added 15 a piece, stepping up for Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis, who struggled mightily.

The Kings had three players finish with double-doubles, led by Tyreke Evans and his near triple-double performance.  Evans finished the game with 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in 44 minutes.  DeMarcus Cousins dominated, especially in the first half, finishing the game with 21 points and 14 rebounds.  Rookie Isaiah Thomas hit three long-balls in the fourth to bring the Kings within one, but the Warriors did their job at the line to pick up the home win.

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Home, sweet home…kind of.  With 11 out of 16 games on the road, the month of January hasn’t been very kindto the Sacramento Kings.  So it must be nice (instead of hopping on a plane) to make the short-bus ride to Oakland, where the Kings play the Golden State Warriors tonight.

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