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Cavs down Kings in battle of the basement

Mar 17, 2011 - 7:03 AM Sacramento, CA (Sports Network) - Ramon Sessions made the game-winning layup with 18.1 seconds remaining, as the Cleveland Cavaliers snuck past the Sacramento Kings, 97-93, in a battle between two of the NBA's worst teams.

Sessions ended with 20 points, six assists and five rebounds for the Cavaliers, who snapped a four-game skid. J.J. Hickson donated 17 points and eight boards.

Luke Harangody chipped in with 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench for Cleveland, which is an NBA-worst 13-53 on the season. They are also 5-28 on the road.

"It's amazing what happens when you compete," Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott said. "I told the guys before the game that, I know that I have been very critical of us the last couple of games. I just pretty much told them the three things I expect each and every night and the things they should do each and every night, no matter what our record is, no matter what the situation is."

Marcus Thornton finished with 23 points for the Kings, who are a Western Conference-worst 16-50. Samuel Dalembert tallied 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Dalembert's layup with 1:56 to play gave Sacramento a 91-90 edge. At the other end, Dalembert caused a charge on Samardo Samuels. Francisco Garcia failed to take advantage for the Kings, missing a three-pointer.

Samuels made 1-of-2 from the foul line to tie the game with 1:21 to go. Beno Udrih responded with a layup at the opposite end to give Sacramento a 93-91 lead.

J.J. Hickson was off the mark with a jumper, but Harangody grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled. He made two free throws to tie things up with 40.9 seconds remaining.

DeMarcus Cousins was then called for a charge, giving the ball back to the Cavs. Sessions made a reverse layup to give Cleveland a two-point edge with 18.1 ticks left.

After Cousins missed a layup, Alonzo Gee made two free throws to seal the victory.

"A lot of things played into them taking the lead," Cousins said. "I am not going to sit here and blame this team. A lot of things had to do with it. We have to play through it and keep playing."

The Kings held a 28-18 edge after 12 minutes of action, but the Cavaliers cut the gap to 51-45 at the half.

Cleveland surged ahead early in the third quarter, but Sacramento held a 74-73 lead heading to the fourth.

Game Notes

Cleveland has won 10 of the last 12 meetings with the Kings...Cavaliers guard Baron Davis (personal) missed the game...Cleveland had lost 27 of its last 28 on the road coming into Wednesday's game...Cousins had 11 points and 16 rebounds...Samuels tallied 13 points...The Cavs shot 51.4 percent from the field...The Kings went 9-of-23 from beyond the arc.