The Tribune

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Zach Randolph and Vince Carter have been playing for so long that some of their teammates were toddlers when they broke into the NBA.

That double dose of experience worked out quite well for Sacramento last night.

Randolph scored 27 points and Carter had two key plays late in the game, helping the Kings to a 101-95 victory over the slumping Philadelphia 76ers.

Buddy Hield had 24 points and Frank Mason III finished with 16 for Sacramento, which came back from a 16-point second-half deficit.

“Zach started us out and really carried us for a while,” Kings coach Dave Joerger said. “He was really, really terrific.”

The 36-year-old Randolph was rejuvenated after he rested during Sunday’s 108-93 loss at Toronto. He made 12 of 19 shots and grabbed five rebounds.

“He’s an amazing low-post threat, for a long period of time,” Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said.

Besides putting up solid numbers — Randolph entered leading the team in scoring and rebounding at 15.2 points and 7 boards per game — he is enjoying his role as veteran leader.

“We get along well,” he said. “These kids are working, they’re playing hard, and it’s showing on the court. We believe in them.”

Ben Simmons had 13 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists for Philadelphia, which lost for the seventh time in eight games while playing without centre Joel Embiid for the second straight night due to a back injury. Robert Covington led the 76ers with 17 points.

Philadelphia looked out of sync without Embiid and Sacramento took advantage.

Hield gave the Kings a 79-78 lead with a 3-pointer with 9:48 remaining. Carter made a full-court outlet pass to Garrett Temple for a layup that made it 92-86 Sacramento with 4:18 left.

The 40-year-old Carter made another crucial play down the stretch, hustling for an offensive rebound that led to Randolph’s jumper with 1:59 to play.

“Coach trusts me to be solid and consistent, not make mistakes and help our guys when I can,” Carter said. “I’ve been in big situations so I enjoy being on the court.”

Simmons answered with a driving basket that made it 96-92, but he couldn’t convert the free throw after being fouled and the rally fizzled from there.

“I don’t think we’ve been focusing down the stretch — missing shots, not calling the right plays,” Simmons said.

“It’s just little things like that. It comes down to us focusing, and making sure we’re committed to defence and offence at the same time.”

EMBIID’S ABSENCE

Embiid did not travel with the team to Chicago for Monday’s 117-115 loss to the Bulls. He was expected to play against the Kings on the second night of back-to-back games, but Brown said the team’s medical staff advised him to keep the 7-foot centre on the sideline. The injury has kept Embiid out for four of the last six games. Brown said Embiid’s back “is still a little bit sore.”

BROWN ON OKAFOR

Jahlil Okafor, whom Philadelphia traded to Brooklyn earlier this month, made headlines in New York on Tuesday for saying he was glad to be with an organisation that had “an actual NBA coaching staff.”

“Jahlil knows what we did here,” Brown said before the loss. “It’s a young person who gave a quote. ... I think everybody understands how we treat people here and the attention he received while he was here.”

UP NEXT

Kings: Finish four-game road trip at Brooklyn tonight.

Sixers: Host Toronto Thursday night in the first game of a home-and-home series. Philadelphia will play at the Raptors on Saturday night.