Maybe last Monday Sacramento Kings are just too young to know they were out of the game. But, trailing the Chicago Bulls by 35 points in the third quarter, the visiting Kings made the totally unexpected comeback, forcing a tie with less than two minutes left and eventually pulling out a stunning 102-98 victory. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this comeback was the largest in the NBA since the Utah Jazz overcame a 36-point deficit against the Denver Nuggets in a game in 1996.
Sacramento rookie Tyreke Evans scored 23 points, and outscored the Bulls 11-3 by himself in the final two minutes before teammate Beno Udrih closed the game out with two free throws. Ime Udoka had 17 points, Udrih had 16, Jason Thompson had 14 points and Sergio Rodriguez had 10 for the Kings.
Kings owner Gavin Maloof visited the post-game locker room, and then came out singing the praises of his young team. “I thought this was going to be a long ride home, but it turns out to be the best ride ever,” Maloof said between shrieks. “Tyreke Evans is the real deal.” While, Sacramento coach Paul Westphal said “I’m not even sure I believe it, but it sure was fun”.
The Kings (13-14) won only their third road game in 14 tries and their second in a row. The Bulls (10-16) were trying for their second three-game winning streak of the season and had to think they had it wrapped up three minutes into the second half, when they led 79-44. But, in the final 21 minutes, the Bulls made just six baskets, scored just 21 points, and did everything they could to give the Kings a chance to recover from the Bulls’ hot start.
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