HORNETS 105, KINGS 96: Jason Smith scored 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting and Greivis Vasquez filled in nicely for an injured Jarrett Jack as host New Orleans picked up its third win in the last five games. Sacramento has dropped six straight.

Vasquez totaled 15 points and five assists and Marco Belinelli added 21 points for the Hornets, who were without the starting backcourt of Jack and Eric Gordon.

Even with its long list of injuries, New Orleans did not have much trouble cutting through Sacramento’s league-worst scoring defense. The Hornets shot 56 percent from the floor.

The Kings jumped out to a lead in the first quarter but could not keep pace through the middle of the contest, getting outscored 59-41 in the second and third quarters combined.

New Orleans took control with an 18-3 burst in the third quarter, getting easy layups from Smith and Chris Kaman and a deep 3-pointer from Belinelli in the spurt.

Sacramento would cut it to 96-92 with 4:05 left but managed only one field goal the rest of the way.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Former New Orleans G Marcus Thornton led the Kings with 25 points. … Hornets G Jerome Dyson made his NBA debut after being plucked out of the NBDL earlier this week. He contributed three points and five assists in 23 minutes. … Sacramento C DeMarcus Cousins was held to seven points and four rebounds after going off for 25 and 18 at Dallas on Tuesday.