LOS ANGELES: The Sacramento Kings turned one of their worst starts into their all-time best finishes on Monday night.
Tyreke Evans scored 23 points, and the Kings erased a 35-point, second-half deficit to storm past the Chicago Bulls for an improbable 102-98 road victory.
“Wow, that’s all I can say, that was crazy,” Evans said after single-handedly outscoring the Bulls 9-3 in the final 2:13. “It was amazing, we never stopped fighting. I’ve never been a part of a team that came back like that.”
The remarkable come-from-behind victory is the second biggest in NBA history behind the Utah Jazz, who on November 27, 1966, climbed out of a 36-point hole to shock Denver 107-103.
Ime Udoka scored 17 off the bench; Slovenian Beno Udrih added 16 as the Kings (13-14) closed on a 58-19 run after trailing by 35 in the third quarter.
“This started as one of the worst games up until the end,” Kings coach Paul Westphal said. “It looked like one of those avalanche nights because everything was going in for the Bulls.
The Bulls were in complete control, building a 67-43 halftime lead that grew to 79-44 on a jumper by John Salmons with 8:50 left in the third period. But they became unglued
The Kings closed on a 25-9 run to pull within 88-69 and outscored their hosts 33-10 in the final frame.
Evans then took over. The poised rookie converted a three-point play, and after Deng made a free throw, tied it at 96 on a driving layup.
Evans made the first of two foul shots to give the Kings their first lead since the opening minutes of the game. He followed with a 22-foot jumper from the top of the key with 50 seconds left, extending to 99-96.
After Rose hit a pair of free throws to bring the Bulls within one, Evan had his drive rim out. The Kings recovered the rebound, and Evans made one of two free throws with 15 ticks to go for a 100-98 advantage.
Rose backed down Evans but missed a jumper in the lane that would have leveled the game. Udrih grabbed the loose ball and made two free throws after drawing a foul to seal the wild come-from-behind win.
Cavaliers 109, Suns 91: LeBron James scored 29 points, Mo Williams added 24 and the Cavs (21-8) pulled away late to send the Suns to their first home loss of the season.
Spurs 103, Clippers 87: Frenchman Tony Parker had eight of his 19 points in a pivotal third quarter to pace a balanced scoring attack, and the Spurs beat the visiting Clippers for the 14th consecutive time.
Magic 104, Jazz 99: J. J. Redick and Rashard Lewis keyed a late 15-2 run as the Magic pulled away for their fourth win in the last five games.
Dwight Howard led Orlando (21-7) with 21 points, Redick had 20 points while Lewis finished with 18. Magic All-Star guard Jameer Nelson scored two points in 14 minutes in his first action since undergoing right knee surgery on Nov. 18 to repair a torn cartilage.
Milwaukee Bucks 84, Indiana Pacers 81: Australian Andrew Bogut poured in a career-high 31 points with 18 rebounds, Brandon Jennings scored 16, and the Bucks (12-14) stopped a seven-game road skid with their first win in 10 trips to Conseco Field House.
Roy Hibbert tallied 16 points while Troy Murphy had 14 with 12 rebounds in Indiana’s (9-17) third straight setback.
