NBA: DeMar DeRozan guides Kings into NBA Cup tilt with Suns

DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento Kings Look to Extend Win Streak Against Phoenix Suns.

DeMar DeRozan and the Sacramento Kings aim to build on a two-game win streak when they host the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night in an NBA Cup group matchup.

DeRozan, 36, in his 17th NBA season, moved to 24th on the league's all-time scoring list with a thrilling comeback win over Minnesota on Monday, passing Nuggets legend Alex English. The Kings overcame a 10-point deficit with three minutes left to force overtime and secured a 117-112 victory.

"You have to stay consistent with the things you do, but obviously, these are things that help build and create the identity and determination of your team. All those little things add up to the big things," Kings coach Doug Christie said after the win.

"For me to watch them do that is super exciting. That's the sign you look for, and you keep building on it every day."

The Kings will be without star Domantas Sabonis for at least a few more weeks due to a partially torn meniscus. They have, however, been boosted by the return of Keegan Murray, who suffered a thumb ligament injury during the preseason.

Murray missed the first 15 games of the season but returned to action last week, scoring 26 points on 10-for-19 shooting in the win over Minnesota.

"It's on the defense and how we turn defense into offense because we don't want to run play after play and slow the game down," Murray said. "We want to force turnovers, play aggressive defense, and make it tough for the other team. If they make tough shots and win the game, that's just how the game is."

Phoenix, meanwhile, had its three-game win streak snapped Monday night in a lackluster performance against Houston, who held the Suns to a season-low 92 points. The Suns were without third-leading scorer Grayson Allen due to a quad injury, and starting center Mark Williams sat out the second night of a back-to-back.

Phoenix finished the game with just 11 assists and 21 turnovers.

"Not a great number," Suns first-year coach Jordan Ott said. "Some of it was them, some of it was us. We could just never really get into it—just clunking through it."

The Suns, sitting sixth in the Western Conference entering Wednesday, have been one of the early surprises of the NBA season.

Devin Booker continues to play at a high level, averaging 26.4 points per game (15th in the NBA) on 46.9% shooting. Dillon Brooks has contributed 22 points per game since joining from Houston in the Kevin Durant trade, while Grayson

Allen is shooting 44.7% from three-point range, ranking 13th in the NBA.

Phoenix ranks second in the league in steals per game (10.6) and is shooting 38.1% from beyond the arc, the third-best percentage in the NBA.

In NBA Cup West Group A standings, the Suns are 2-0 while the Kings are 0-2. Phoenix defeated Sacramento 120-116 in the season opener.

-Field Level Media/Reuters