I think that it can be said that the New Jersey Nets will eventually win a game this season, despite their injury woes and a relatively young roster. They would look to snap their long losing streak as they traveled to Sacramento to take on the ever-improving Kings; unfortunately for the Nets, the Kings would lead from tip-off to the final horn, allowing Sacramento to hand New Jersey their 16th consecutive loss 109-96 at Arco Arena. The loss put the Nets to within one of the NBA record for consecutive losses to begin a season.

The Kings were hot early on as they got to the 5:11 mark of the opening period as they doubled up on the Nets at 20-10, courtesy of a Spencer Hawes jumper; Terrence Williams’ free throw would get the Nets to within nine, but Sacramento would finish the quarter strong as a Hawes dunk put the Kings up 33-20 going into the second quarter. A layup by Sergio Rodriguez with 5:58 left in the half allowed the Kings to take a 20-point lead and they would take a 59-42 lead going into haltftime.

The Nets slowly chipped away at their deficit, getting it down to eight at 73-65 on a Trenton Hassell jumper; Sacramento would rebound as they would take a 15-point lead at 84-69 into the final 12 minutes. A pair of Devin Harris free throws brought New Jersey to within 86-80, but Jason Thompson’s layup with 2:47 remaining in the game would secure the victory for the Kings.

Tyreke Evans and Beno Udrih shared high scoring honors for the Kings as each scored 21 points apiece – with Evans grabbing 8 rebounds, dishing out 3 assists along with a steal while Udrih grabbed 2 boards, dished out 5 assists along with a steal; Omri Casspi chipped in 18 with 4 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block while Hawes poured in 16 with 10 rebounds, an assist and 3 blocks.

New Jersey was led by Harris with 25 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal while Brook Lopez added 24 with 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block; Chris Douglas-Roberts pitched in 21 with 8 rebounds, 2 steals and a block. Sacramento (7-8) plays again on Sunday when they host the New Orleans Hornets while New Jersey (0-16) look for their first win when they travel to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers – also on Sunday.