Murray hits eight 3-pointers as Kings beat Rockets 140-120

HOUSTON (AP)— Keegan Murray had a career-high 30 points and set a franchiserookie record with eight 3-pointers to help the Sacramento Kingssnap a two-game skid with a 140-120 win over the Houston Rockets onMonday night.

The fourthoverall pick in last year’s NBA draft, Murray shot 8 for 12 frombeyond the arc on a night when the Kings made 21 3-pointers. Theprevious team mark for 3s by a rookie was set by Ricky Berry withseven in 1989.

Murray went 1for 16 on 3-pointers over his past three games.

“Nothingchanged there except the ball going in,” Murray said. “I just founda rhythm and when you see the ball going in early, it helps alot.”

Sacramentocoach Mike Brown was pleased to see Murray break out of what hecalled a “mini-slump.”

“We justthink he’s that good of a shooter and he’s capable,” Brown said.“Now, I’m not saying he’s going to go 8 for 12 every night, butwe’ve seen Keegan shooting the ball at a high high level this yearand so it’s not surprising when it happens.”

Malik Monkadded 20 points off the bench and Domantas Sabonis had 17 points,seven rebounds and 10 assists in the first of consecutive gamesbetween the teams.

De’Aaron Foxhad 16 points and eight assists for Sacramento after missing twogames for the birth of his son, named Reign.

“It’s huge tohave somebody like that out and it’s good to have him back,” Monksaid.

Jalen Greenhad 27 points for the Rockets, who dropped their thirdstraight.

An angryStephen Silas lamented his team’s defensive play.

“They’re notgiving the effort on the defensive end,” the Houston coach said.“They’re not getting after it like they’re supposed to.”

The Kings ledby 12 with about eight minutes remaining before using a 10-2 run topush it to 117-97 midway through the fourth quarter. Monk startedthat stretch with two free throws and ended it with back-to-back3s.

Eric Gordonmade a basket for Houston after that, but Monk hit another 3 tomake it 120-99.

The Kingswere up by 12 after a layup by Kevin Huerter with 8 1/2 minutesleft in the third quarter. Houston then used a 14-7 run to getwithin 81-76 midway through the period.

Gordon hittwo 3-pointers in that span and Jabari Smith Jr. had a 3 and a dunkto help the Rockets close the gap.

But Murraymade consecutive 3-pointers to start a 9-4 run, capped by a third 3from him, to push the lead to 90-80 with 3 1/2 minutes left in thethird.

A layup byGreen got Houston within six with less than a minute left in thethird but the Kings scored the last five points of the quarter,with a 3 from Monk, to take a 99-88 lead into the fourth.

TIP-INS

Kings: KevinHuerter had 16 points. Trey Lyles added 14 off the bench. ...Sacramento shot 58.4% from the field.

Rockets:Kevin Porter Jr. missed his 13th consecutive game with a left bigtoe injury. Silas said Porter is struggling with the injury andit’s unclear when he’ll return. … Kenyon Martin Jr. had 18 pointsand eight rebounds. Gordon scored 16. ... Alperen Sengun had 15points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

THINKING OF HOME

Sengun, whois from Turkey, said it was tough to concentrate on thegameafter a 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed more than 4,000people in Turkey and Syriaon Monday.

He said hisfamily lives far from where the earthquake hit and they were OK,but he worried about many others in the country.

“Of course Iwas thinking about all of my country today all day,” Sengun said.“But I know I have a job over here.”