NEW YORK -- As the final seconds ebbed away in the Sacramento Kings' 101-96 victory over the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Thursday night, Kings fans began a loud "Light The Beam!" chant.
It was a celebratory night on a few levels. The victory was Sacramento's eighth in its past 10 games -- the best record of any team in the NBA in that span. It also pushed the Kings a half-game in front of the Memphis Grizzlies for the second seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
But, in the immediate, it did something bigger: It gave the Kings 42 victories, ensuring Sacramento has a winning record this season.