Rookie Evans records first career triple-double, leads Kings to 113-90 victory over Raptors

Evans’ 1st triple-double leads Kings past Raptors

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Tyreke Evans recorded his first career triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, leading the Sacramento Kings to a 113-90 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.

With frequent chants of “ROY!” (Rookie of the Year), Evans responded with a strong overall game that has typified his season. Perhaps the leading candidate for the first-year award, the point guard passed to Francisco Garcia for his 10th assist late in the game and promptly went to the bench amid a chorus of cheers.

Beno Udrih had 24 points and eight assists, and Carl Landry and Donte Greene both scored 15 points for the Kings, who scored 43 points in the third quarter and snapped a three-game losing streak.

Andrea Bargnani scored 20 points for the Raptors, who have lost three straight and seven of eight games. Chris Bosh, DeMar DeRozan and Jarrett Jack all had 14 points.

The loss dropped Toronto into a seventh-place tie with Charlotte in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors are only one game ahead of ninth-place Chicago.

In honor of Evans, the Kings designated the game “Rally for Reke Roy Night.” The Kings gave out 10,000 free “Reke Roy” T-shirts and 5,000 face-on-a-sticks which include an image Evans.

Perhaps fittingly, Evans converted the game’s most difficult shot attempt. Fouled on a baseline drive late in the second quarter, Evans tossed up a floater from behind the backboard that brought a sudden roar from the crowd when it went in.

It was Evans and Landry carrying the scoring load early in the third quarter and Udrih taking over late. Udrih scored nine points, including a short jumper at the buzzer to put the Kings ahead 83-68.

Landry scored 10 points and Evans had nine in the third period. The 43 points were the most in a quarter since the Kings had 43 against Utah on Dec. 4, 2008.

Bargnani scored 11 points and Bosh had eight for the Raptors in the opening half, when they led 45-40. Udrih scored 13 points and Evans added eight for the Kings.

NOTES: The Kings shot 18 of 24 in the third quarter, matching the number of field goals they made in the opening half, when they shot 39 percent. Toronto has lost four consecutive road games and fell to 10-21. Bosh is 55 points away from being the first Toronto player in franchise history to reach 10,000 points.