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SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- An anonymous rookie several weeks ago, Ray McCallum is making opponents take note of his game. Rudy Gay scored nine of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and McCallum had a career-high 27 points to help the Sacramento Kings beat the Los Angeles Lakers 107-102 on Wednesday night. McCallum, the 36th overall pick in the 2013 draft, spent the majority of his rookie season with little court time, other than some strong performances in the D-League. But McCallum, who has started the last five games due to the deep quadriceps injury to Isaiah Thomas, has played like a savvy veteran point guard of late. Against the Lakers, McCallum made 12 of 22 shots and added five assists and four rebounds in 46 minutes. With McCallum directing the offence, the Kings only committed eight turnovers, three by the poised rookie. "Every time I think he cant get any better he finds a way to prove me wrong," Kings coach Michael Malone said. "The biggest thing that impresses me isnt his scoring or his assists. Its his demeanour, his composure, and his poise." McCallum had 22 points and 10 assists Monday in a victory at New Orleans. "Sometimes in this league the opportunity only comes once," said McCallum, who played three seasons at the University of Detroit where he was coached by his father, Ray McCallum Sr. "Im trying to take advantage of it. The game is definitely slowing down and Im getting more comfortable." Theres nothing comfortable regarding the Lakers right now. It was one more game where they played with a depleted roster. Missing the game were Pau Gasol (vertigo), Steve Nash (ankle), Chris Kaman (calf) and Xaiver Henry (multiple injuries). Los Angeles lost its second straight and fourth in five games. The Lakers, losers of six straight road games, are 11-27 away from home this season. The Lakers (25-50) are experiencing only their eighth losing season since moving west from Minneapolis in 1960. They are on pace to have their worst record in the Los Angeles era. The last time the Lakers had 50 or more losses was 1974-75 (30-52). "Weve had a tough (road) trip. But there were a lot of opportunities for a lot of our guys," Lakers coach Mike DAntonio said. "They should be taking these opportunities to get better and try to get some wins." Jodie Meeks scored 21 points and Jordan Hill had 18 points and 15 rebounds before fouling out late in the fourth quarter for the Lakers. Nick Young, who scored 40 points Tuesday in a loss to Portland, had 17 points and Kent Bazemore added 14. DeMarcus Cousins had 20 points and 10 rebounds, while rookie guard Ben McLemore had 12 points for Sacramento. Foul trouble plagued Cousins in the opening half when he played only 10 minutes and had eight points and three fouls. Cousins picked up his fourth foul with 7:11 left in the third quarter and went to the bench a short time later. Sacramento, which avoided a series sweep, scored nine straight points early in the second quarter and didnt trail again in winning its second straight. The Lakers had won the first three meetings this season and beaten their Pacific Division rivals five consecutive overall. "Absolutely we wanted this win," Cousins said. "We definitely didnt want to get swept." Hill hit a jumper and Ryan Kelly followed with a dunk, cutting the Sacramento lead to 103-100. But the Lakers could get no closer in the games final minute. Hill converted two free throws and Meeks made a fast-break layup, cutting the Kings lead to 96-91 with 4:32 remaining. Cousins responded with a basket, a free throw, then found Outlaw open for a dunk, giving the Kings a 101-93 lead. Leading by eight points at the half, the Kings built an 87-76 lead entering the fourth quarter. Gay, McCallum and Cousins all scored seven points in the third when the Kings outscored Los Angeles 27-24. "Ive known Ray since I was 15 and I know he can play and has great confidence," Lakers guard Kendall Marshall said. "This league is about opportunities and Im happy for him. But I wish it wasnt against us." The Lakers said Gasol suffered a "severe recurrence of vertigo" Wednesday in his Sacramento hotel. The 13-year veteran missed four straight games stemming from his initial bout with vertigo 1 1/2 weeks ago, Gasol played Tuesday night in a loss to Portland, but said he might have rushed his return to the court. NOTES: Former Kings forward Brian Grant was sitting courtside. ... McCallum had 17 points and Gay scored 15 in the first half when Sacramento led 60-52. ... Hill had four of the Lakers six blocks. ... It was the 10th 30-point plus game this season for Gay,who added five rebounds, four assists and two steals. 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Pedro Borbon Jersey . - Maxence Parrot of Bromont, Que.GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A perfect start for Carson Palmer and, even if its just preseason, an impressive opener for the Arizona Cardinals. And just the opposite for the Houston Texans and new coach Bill OBrien. Palmer was 5 for 5 for 84 yards and a touchdown in his lone series and the Cardinals went on to rout the Texans 32-0 on Saturday night. "Really, really great to just see us come out and execute," Palmer said. "Nothing spectacular, nothing special, just everybody on the same page." Arizonas first-team defence had a three-and-out and an interception in its two series. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a rough first game as Houstons quarterback. Playing the entire first half, he completed 6 of 14 passes for 55 yards with two interceptions as the Cardinals took a 20-0 lead at the break. "I think it is important to keep in mind that its the first time weve been out there as a team," Fitzpatrick said, "but its also a nice little wake-up call for me and for everybody. The NFL is a humbling game." Arizona rookie Logan Thomas played the entire second half. After experiencing accuracy issues throughout training camp, Thomas completed 11 of 12 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. It was "by far" the best Thomas has looked, coach Bruce Arians said. "He had a nice, calm demeanour," Arians said. "He threw some balls in there that made me hold my breath, but the guys caught them. He was very, very good." Houston was without wide receiver Andre Johnson, running back Arian Foster and cornerback Johnathan Joseph -- all nursing minor injuries. The Texans, coming off a 2-14 season, got inside the Cardinals 30-yard line once, and that ended with an interception. "Tonight was not a good night of football," OBrien said. "It all starts with me. Ive got to do a better job of coaching this team. ... Its the first preseason game and theres nowhere but up from where we are right now." Arizona rookie John Brown, a third-round draft pick from little Pittsburg State (Kansas), caught five passes for 87 yards, all in the first half. Brown said it was a relief going against a defence other than the strong Cardinals team he goes against in praactice.dddddddddddd. "The game was kind of easy," he said, "because going against the best every day, it makes it more relaxing out on the field." Palmer, entering his 12th NFL season and second with Arizona, had passes of 25 yards to Brown and 35 yards to Rob Housler, then capped his drive with a 7-yard scoring pass to Larry Fitzgerald. Rookie Chandler Catanzaro, trying to take the kicking job from Jay Feely, had field goals of 32, 28 and 25 yards. Arians said he liked Catanzaros kickoffs and his demeanour. With 1:28 to play, Houston rookie quarterback Tom Savage was tackled by JoJo Dickson for a safety. The Cardinals had a 407-172 advantage in total yards. Palmers backup, Drew Stanton, who hasnt thrown a regular-season pass since 2010, completed 11 of 17 for 152 yards and 5-yard TD pass to Jaron Brown. Case Keenum, 0-8 as a starter for Houston last season, played the third quarter, going 3 of 5 for 23 yards. After Arizona took the opening kickoff, J.J. Watt beat guard Jonathan Cooper and sacked Palmer for a 7-yard loss at the Cardinals 15. But on third-and-16, Palmer found the speedy rookie John Brown on a 25-yard play. Moments later, he threw to Housler, who ran down the sideline on a 35-yard play yards to the 38. Later in the first quarter, Fitzpatricks pass was tipped by linebacker Kevin Minter. It bounced through the arms of linebacker Larry Foote before cornerback Antonio Cromartie, in his first season with Arizona, picked it off. NOTES: Arizona was without wide receiver Michael Floyd (groin) and wide receiver-kick returner Ted Ginn Jr. (knee). Arians said Floyd will be out 6-10 days, Ginn about three days. ... First overall draft pick Jadeveon Clowney had some problems but did beat basketball player-turned-tight end Darren Fells to stop Stepfan Taylor for a 5-yard loss. ... Arizonas Dave Zastudil pinned Houston on its 3-yard line with a 54-yard punt midway through the second quarter. He led the NFL in punts inside the 20 the past two years. ... Feely is to kick next week when Arizona plays at Minnesota. ... Starting linemen Cooper and Larsen played the entire first half for the Cardinals. ' ' '