Minnesota Timberwolves fall to Sacramento Kings 116-114 at home

Minnesota Timberwolves fell on Monday night in the target center in a close match with Sacramento Kings 116-114.

Demar Derozan scored 33 points for Kings, who just finished their trade for Zach Lavine.

Malik Monk had 26 points for Kings closing a 2-6 road trip. Keegan Murray added 19 points.

Sacramento traded De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio as part of a three-team trade that put avalanche on Kings. Lavine is likely to play in his first game with his new team Wednesday.

Naz Reid led Minnesota with a season high 30 points, including 16 in the first quarter. Jaden McDaniels added 22, and Anthony Edwards ended with 21 points.

Minnesota was without Forward Julius Randle for the other straight game. Randle was sidelined with a groin injury.

After pulling in as many as 12, Timberwolves managed to take a short 91-90 lead early in the fourth quarter. But the kings regained the lead and they had an answer every time Timberwolves pushed down the stretch.

Kings: With Fox away, Monk entered the Point Guard. In addition to his 26 points, Monk ended with five assists and eight rebounds while controlling Sacramento’s violation. Monk hit a couple of big shots late in the fourth quarter as well as four free throwing in the last 17 seconds of the game.

Timberwolves: Minnesota rebound not from his loss on Saturday to NBA-Worst Washington Wizards and lost his second straight match to a team with a subordinate record.

Derozan made a set-up to set Kings up 110-106 with only 30 seconds left.

Minnesota shot 16 more 3-Pointers than Kings (40-24), but only made two shots more from deep (12) than Sacramento.

Minnesota hosts Chicago Wednesday.