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Thomas helps Kings edge Timberwolves

Mar 22, 2013 - 6:53 AM Sacramento, CA (Sports Network) - Isaiah Thomas had 24 points and six assists in the Sacramento Kings' 101-98 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Tyreke Evans added 21 points, five rebounds and five assists, while DeMarcus Cousins finished with 15 points and 14 boards for the Kings, who have won four of their last six games.

"I wasn't in a groove and in the second half I started attacking the basket. I stayed patient. I know it's a long game," Evans said.

Nikola Pekovic tallied 18 points and 12 boards for Minnesota, which has dropped four of its last five contests.

"Too many spurts by them," Minnesota head coach Rick Adelman said. "We gave them too many easy opportunities and too many flat-out penetrations. That makes the game hard."

We were playing pretty good defense, but they had some good looks too. They're a good 3-point shooting team, but they were just missing," Thomas said of Minnesota.

Toney Douglas' jumper with 4:01 left gave the Kings a 99-91 lead, but Minnesota charged back as six straight points from Ricky Rubio pulled the Wolves within 99-97 with 1:36 remaining.

Evans' fadeaway jumper at the other end with 41.3 ticks to go upped the advantage back to four. Pekovic split a pair on Minnesota's next touch and Evans turned the ball over with 11.9 seconds to play. But Dante Cunningham's 3-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark.

Minnesota led 26-25 after a quarter of play and took a 57-53 edge into the break. But Sacramento outscored the Wolves 26-20 in the third to head into the final frame with a 79-77 margin.

Game Notes

John Salmons recorded 13 points and five rebounds for the Kings ... Rubio had 12 points, nine helpers, seven boards and three steals ... Minnesota held a 21-0 edge in second-chance points.