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The Sports Network
Kings center DeMarcus Cousins wrestles Channing Frye in Saturday's 98-84 loss to the Phoenix Suns. (PHOTO: US Presswire)
SACRAMENTO, CA - Jared Dudley had 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Phoenix Suns eased past the Sacramento Kings, 98-84, at Power Balance Pavilion.
Sacramento never led at any point of the game on Saturday night.
Only two Kings scored in double-figures for Sacramento. DeMarcus Cousins netted 26 points and Marcus Thornton dropped in 21 for the Kings, losers of two of their past three.
Tyreke Evans was held to 4 points on 1-of-9 shooting. He also had six rebounds, five assists, along with four turnovers.
"We were going up against a team that was pretty solid and highly trained to guard," Kings head coach Keith Smart said. "I thought Grant Hill did a great job of trying to create spoace and keep us out of the paint. We couldn't finish some plays in the paint."
"We were going up against a team that was pretty solid and highly trained to guard," Kings coach Keith Smart said. "I thought Grant Hill did a great job of trying to create space and keep us out of the paint. We couldn't finish some plays in the paint."
Steve Nash missed the second quarter after taking a shot to the face from Sacramento's Isaiah Thomas late in the first quarter as Thomas' arm flailed into Nash's head after running into a pick set by Marcin Gortat.
Nash, though, returned in the second half after getting four stitches in his lip and finished the game with four points and 15 assists in the Suns' fourth win in five games.
Sacramento now embarks on a six game road trip in eight days - the longest of the season.
The trip will lead the team into the All-Star break and will not return to the Capitol city for another home game until they host the Utah Jazz on Feb. 28.
The Sports Network & Sean Cunningham contributed to this report
SCunningham@News10.net
Twitter: @News10Sean
The Sports Network & News10/KXTV