Player of the game: Omri Casspi scored a career-high 31 points to help the Kings end a five-game losing streak.

Turning point: After giving up 31 points in the first quarter, the Kings held the Timberwolves to 18 in the second quarter. Minnesota made a run in the fourth quarter, but the second-quarter downturn proved too much to overcome.

Key stat: The Kings had only 14 turnovers, just five over the final three quarters.

X-factor: Derrick Williams had 18 points and eight rebounds off the Kings’ bench.

Records: Kings 27-50; Timberwolves 16-61

Injury update: The Kings’ DeMarcus Cousins (sore right foot) and Carl Landry (NBA suspension) sat out the game. Minnesota was without seven players, including Anthony Bennett (sprained right ankle), Kevin Garnett (sore left knee), Gary Neal (sprained left ankle), Ricky Rubio (sore left ankle) and Gorgui Dieng (concussion-like symptoms).

Up next: At Utah, Wednesday, 6 p.m., CSNCA

Jason Jones