Sports

Thornton scores 23 to lead Kings past Blazers

October 16, 2012 | Modified: October 16, 2012 at 2:01 am
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Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, center, dives for the ball between Sacramento Kings' Tyreke Evans, left, and DeMarcus Cousins during the first quarter of an NBA preseason basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Oct. 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Marcus Thornton made four 3-pointers and scored 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Sacramento Kings past the Portland Trail Blazers 117-100 on Monday night.

DeMarcus Cousins had 20 points and seven rebounds for the Kings. Jason Brooks added 16 points, James Johnson had 12, and Jimmer Fredette and Tyreke Evans 11 each.

Cousins came off the bench midway through the fourth to help boost the Kings. He scored six consecutive points, the final one a fastbreak layup that put Sacramento (2-0) ahead 107-93 with 5:06 left.

Rookie point guard Damien Lillard scored 20 points for Portland (1-2). LaMarcus Aldridge had 16 points and seven rebounds, Nicolas Batum scored 14, and Wesley Matthews and J.J. Hickson had 11 each.