Photo credit: Barry Gossage

By Charlie O. Mallonee

Three sets of numbers summarize the Kings versus the Suns game on Friday night – 49.4%, 50.0% and 57. The Suns shot 49.4% from the field and posted 50.0% from 3-point land. Phoenix guards Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe combined for 57 points.

The Phoenix Suns defeated the Sacramento Kings 116-107.

Why did the Kings lose the game? Head Coach Michael Malone says it was a lack of defense. In his post-game interview, Malone said, “I am embarrassed by our lack of defense right now.”

The Kings gave up 122 points to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night and gave up 116 to Phoenix. In the NBA, a team is not going to win many games giving up that many points.

Before the beginning of the season, Malone had set a goal of not allowing the opposition more than 20 points in a quarter. The Suns scored 28, 30, 27 and 31 by quarter against the Kings.

In spite of all the negative numbers, the Kings had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter. The Kings trailed the Suns by just three points (87-84) at the 11:09 mark, but the play of Bledsoe and four fourth quarter dunks by Miles Plumlee kept Sacramento from making a comeback.

The Suns were led by Dragic with 29 points, Bledsoe’s 28 and Plumlee added 12 of his own. Dragic was four of five from beyond the 3-point line.

The lack of a true defensive effort overshadowed the debut of Rudy Gay in a Kings uniform. Gay scored 24 points in 36 minutes of playing time. He was eight for 12 from the floor (66.6%), eight for nine from the free throw line, had one assist, one steal, two blocks and one rebound. After the game Malone said he was happy with Gay’s debut except the one rebound. There will be rebounding drills tomorrow for the newest King.

Aaron Gray also made his Kings debut against the Suns. Gray scored seven points and pulled down nine rebounds in his 13 minutes on the floor. He also showed his ability to set some serious screens on offense.

Isaiah Thomas led the Kings with 29 points. DeMarcus Cousins put up 15 and Derrick Williams added 14 points.

The Kings will have to regroup quickly as they host the Houston Rockets on Sunday in Sacramento. A strong defensive effort will be needed if the Kings are to defeat Dwight Howard, James Harden and company.