Kings send Timberwolves to 12th straight loss

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox celebrates in the closing moments of the Kings’ 113-109 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Feb. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

SACRAMENTO, California — De’Aaron Fox had 31 points and five assists, Bogdan Bogdanovic made five free throws in the final 69 seconds, and the Sacramento Kings held off a late run by Minnesota to win 113-109 Monday night, handing the Timberwolves their 12th consecutive loss.

Bogdanovic scored 23 points, Buddy Hield added 16 and Harrison Barnes had 14 points and seven assists for Sacramento.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to lead six Minnesota players in double figures. Shabazz Napier added 17 points and seven assists.

It was the third game between the teams this season and the first to end in regulation. Minnesota won in double overtime in December to end an 11-game skid, then Sacramento came back from 17 down with 2:49 remaining in regulation to win last Monday.

This one nearly needed extra time, too.

Robert Covington’s 3-pointer with 4.7 seconds left pulled Minnesota to 112-109. After the Kings turned it over on a five-second violation, Andrew Wiggins rushed a 3 that hit off the back of the rim.

The Timberwolves haven’t won since Jan. 9.

The Kings jumped out to a 15-2 lead, went up 60-40 following Fox’s breakaway layup in the second quarter and led 65-50 at halftime.

Fox provided another spark in the third quarter when he went around Napier and cut past Towns for a one-handed dunk that made it 87-66.

TIP-INS

Timberwolves: Towns’ double-double was the 257th of his career, moving him past Kevin Love into second place on the franchise list. Kevin Garnett holds the Timberwolves record with 606. … Allen Crabbe (knee) was held out for a third consecutive game.

Kings: Fox shot 10 of 16 while topping 30 points for the fourth time this season.

UP NEXT

Timberwolves: Play the Hawks in Minnesota on Wednesday. Minnesota has won three of the last four games against Atlanta at Target Center.

Kings: Host the Heat on Friday. Sacramento swept the two-game series last season but Miami won their first matchup this season.