The controversial finish that gave the Sacramento Kings their first victory in five games caused one other aspect of a rare good night to get lost. Dave Joergers new-look starting lineup delivered the better first quarter that Sacramentos first-year coach was looking for.The Oklahoma City Thunder wouldnt mind a similar development on their side.The Kings new, smaller starting five -- center DeMarcus Cousins, guards Darren Collison and Ty Lawson, and forwards Rudy Gay and Matt Barnes -- put up 25 points in the opening quarter, got out on the run and helped the Kings to a 36-point first quarter against Toronto on Sunday.They are expected to get an encore together Wednesday when the Kings (5-9) host the Thunder (8-7) at Golden 1 Center.Its a different look, but were all pros, Gay said. Everybody is capable of doing a lot of things out there. Im not going to say one starting lineup is better than the other, but it worked. So well see how we do in the future.The new look, with center Kosta Koufos on the bench after starting in the frontcourt with Cousins in 12 of Sacramentos first 13 games, seemed to unclog the middle. Lawson had more room to drive the key and kick out a pass, a strength of his game that had been missing. The faster tempo also freed Collison to get in the open floor, and he contributed three assists in the first three minutes en route to nine in 32.The work of the starters became a bit of an oversight after the ending of the Kings 102-99 victory. Official Mike Callahan ruled the game clock didnt start soon enough on Torontos final inbounds pass, nullifying a 3-pointer by Terrence Ross that appeared to tie the game.The Kings hope to take that break and their new lineup and run with it. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak.Thats the team right there that I saw in the preseason that I got so excited about coaching, Joerger said. A bunch of guys that care about each other and go and play really hard.The Thunder didnt start well Thursday in a 111-109 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, getting outscored 23-6 over the final seven minutes of the opening quarter. That loomed large after a late 10-0 run became a footnote when the Lakers Nick George hit a winning 3-pointer with five seconds left.Oklahoma City has lost six of eight since a 6-1 start and has surrendered an average of 31 points in the opening quarter over its past six contests. The Thunder have allowed at least 100 points in eight consecutive games.Guard Russell Westbrook has put a lot of that blame on himself, even though a case could be made that he has been the NBAs best player so far this season. Westbrook scored 17 of his 34 points in the final quarter against the Lakers and added 13 assists and eight rebounds.He told reporters the Thunders early-game struggles have started with him: I have to come out and be ready to play every night.Westbrook is averaging nearly a triple-double, with 31.8 points, 10.6 assists and 9.6 rebounds.Pittsburgh Pirates Gear . With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position. Mitch Keller Jersey . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. https://www.cheappiratesjerseys.us/2162e-cole-tucker-jersey-pirates.html . -- There were a lot of firsts for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Freddie Lindstrom Jersey . Tevez, who has had conflicts with coaches in the past, has not been called up since Sabella was named coach in 2011. Argentina boasts Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria. Richard Rodriguez Jersey . The deal is pending a physical, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup.RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico -- Damon Lynn hit six 3-pointers and finished with 24 points, Tim Coleman hit the go-ahead jumper with 31 seconds left and NJIT beat Idaho State 71-67 on Wednesday in the Cancun Challenges Mayan Division third-place game.Coleman finished with season highs of 21 points and 11 rebounds and Rob Ukawuba scored 12 for NJIT.Coleman made a layup and then hit a 3-pointer to make it 67-63 with 2:04 left and the Highlanders (3-3) never trailed again. Geno Luzcando made two free throws and then Hayes Garrity had a steal and hit Brandon Boyyd for a layup that tied it with 58 seconds to go.dddddddddddd Coleman, dibbling at the top of the key, crossed his defender and hit a pull-up jumper from the right elbow to make it 69-67. After Boyd missed a driving, contested layup with 8 seconds left, Lynn made two free throws to seal it.Boyd, who scored a career-high 25 in Tuesdays overtime loss to Eastern Kentucky, hit three 3s and had 26 points for Idaho State (0-5). ' ' '
