NBA: Devin Carter, Kings hand Pacers 10th consecutive loss

Devin Carter scored 22 of his career-high 24 points in the fourth quarter as the Sacramento Kings overcame a 20-point deficit to beat the Indiana Pacers 114-109 on Tuesday, extending Indiana’s losing streak to 10 games.

Carter hit three 3-pointers and scored 15 points during a 17-5 run that gave Sacramento a 109-103 lead with 1:46 remaining. The Pacers pulled within 112-109 on Ben Sheppard’s layup with 9.5 seconds left, but Nique Clifford sank two free throws to secure the win, keeping Indiana winless since the All-Star break.

Carter finished 9-for-13 from the field and 3-for-4 from beyond the arc in just over 16 minutes. Maxime Raynaud contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Russell Westbrook added 16 points and nine assists. DeMar DeRozan and Clifford scored 12 points each, and Daeqwon Plowden added 10 for the Kings, who have won two straight games for the first time since a four-game streak in mid-January.

For Indiana, Aaron Nesmith led with 29 points. Obi Toppin added 17, Kam Jones scored 14, Jay Huff had 12, and Micah Potter finished with 11 points in a matchup between the NBA’s two teams with the worst records.

Sacramento held an early lead in the first quarter before Indiana closed with a 6-0 run, taking a 25-24 edge on Potter’s layup. The Pacers extended their advantage to 42-32 with 6:07 remaining in the second quarter and led 59-42 at halftime, fueled by Nesmith’s 24 first-half points and Huff’s 3-pointer. Raynaud scored 10 for the Kings in the first half.

The Kings cut the deficit to 82-72 by the end of the third quarter after a 14-4 run, capped by two foul shots from Drew Eubanks.

Indiana played without starters T.J. McConnell (hamstring), Pascal Siakam (knee), and Andrew Nembhard (back/neck). Sacramento’s Malik Monk left the game in the second quarter with a right ankle injury and did not return.

-Field Level Media/Reuters