NEW YORK – The Kings had their fair share of dubious distinctions Saturday night in their 120-81 loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The Kings trailed by 50 points, their largest deficit of the season. The Knicks tried 43 three-pointers and made 19, both season highs for a Kings opponent.
New York fell one three-pointer short of matching its franchise record for a game.
"Anytime you give a team 43 three-point attempts, a good team is probably going to make their share of them," Kings coach Keith Smart said. "Obviously, they have a lot of guys that can make shots."
In the third quarter, the Knicks scored 41 points, the most by a Kings opponent this season.
New York also set a franchise record for bench scoring with 82 points – one more than the Kings' total.
"We think we have a very good bench," Knicks forward Steve Novak said. "I think you are seeing now, even though we have guys banged up, we have guys that step up and knock down shots."
The bench was so good, All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony scored just nine points in 27 minutes. He had scored 20 or more points in 31 consecutive games, a Knicks record.
Out again – James Johnson (sinus infection) was a late scratch from the Kings' starting lineup. He also missed Friday's game at Philadelphia, leaving the bench during the first half because he felt ill.
Johnson was in line to start to match up with Anthony and the Knicks' small lineup.
Without Johnson, the Kings started Francisco Garcia alongside John Salmons and DeMarcus Cousins in the frontcourt. Isaiah Thomas and Tyreke Evans were the starting guards.
It was the 13th different starting lineup the Kings have used this season. It also was the first time Jason Thompson had not started a game this season.
Beaten on the glass – The Kings have been outrebounded by 10 or more in four of five games on this six-game trip. The Knicks outrebounded the Kings 52-30.
Special guests – Children from the Newtown, Conn., choir sang the national anthem.
Newtown is where 20 children and six adults were shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14.
The Knicks also hosted 150 children, their families and teachers from Sandy Hook. The team visited Newtown last Tuesday.
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