Casspi scores career-high 18 points in victory over Nets

Casspi scores career-hig

By ALLON SINAI
Omri Casspi continued his recent excellent form on Friday night, recording yet another career-high. The 21-year-old rookie scored 18 points in the Sacramento Kings' 109-96 defeat of the New Jersey Nets. Casspi has now scored in double-figures in four straight games, with the Kings winning back-to-back following a four-game losing streak. The Israeli hit six of 11 shots from the field, including two-of-two from beyond the arc, and also added four rebounds. "I was really pleased with the performances - particularly Spencer Hawes was excellent battling [Brook] Lopez," Sacramento head coach Paul Westphal said. "I thought that Kenny Thomas came off the bench along with Beno [Udrih], of course, and Omri [Casspi] to really give us great production." Following the defeat in California, New Jersey has lost 16 straight games to open the season, moving within one of matching the worst start in NBA history. Rookie Tyreke Evans had 21 points and eight rebounds, and Udrih also scored 21 for Sacramento, which never trailed on its way to the win. After losing to the team that had the worst record in the NBA a season ago, the Nets need to beat the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday at Staples Center to avoid matching the record for futility held by the expansion Miami Heat (1988-89) and the Los Angeles Clippers (1999). The potential record-setter would come at home against Dallas on Wednesday. Lopez had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and Devin Harris scored 25 points on 6-for-22 shooting for the Nets, who matched the longest losing streak in franchise history with their latest loss. "It's just a matter of time until we break through," coach Lawrence Frank said before the game. Just not against the Kings. New Jersey closed a lead that had been 22 points in the first half down to 67-61 midway through the third quarter. Back-to-back three-pointers by Udrih and Casspi helped the Kings open the lead back up to 84-69 heading into the fourth. Casspi also made three of four free throws when New Jersey went to the hack-an-Omri strategy in the fourth quarter. He scored four from eight from the line in the game, improving his season mark to 47.2 percent. AP contributed to this report.