azcentral.com photo: Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, center, is defended by the Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield, left, and Kings forward Richaun Holmes, right, during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019.

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings have hit rock bottom. In what was a season with such high expectations going in, the Kings have not impressed. Granted, the Kings have had a fair share of adversity this season. Early season injuries to Marvin Bagley and De’Aaron Fox have not made things easy for the Kings as the Kings have now lost six straight losing to Phoenix 112-110 Saturday night.

However, after spending a significant amount on players such as Harrison Barnes and Buddy Hied, Kings fans expect more. After a tough loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, the Kings would look to bounce back against the Phoenix Suns at 6 PM PST.

In the first, both teams were shooting the ball well. The Kings managed to put up 30 points on 48% shooting floor. Having struggled in his last few contests, Buddy Hield put up a team-leading 8 points in the first quarter. The Suns shot 57% in the first led by Kelly Oubre Jr. who had 9 points. The Kings would look to play a little more solid defense in the second to take the lead on the Suns. It was 31-30 Suns leading going into the second quarter.

In the second quarter, the shot-making disappeared for the Kings. With 4:45 left in the second, the Kings had only scored 8 points in the quarter. Bad shot selection and the inability to hit shots. The Kings only managed to score 19 points as the Suns dropped 28 points on the Kings lacking defense. Leading the Kings in scoring through the first half was Corey Joseph who scored 10 first-half points.

The Suns were led by Kelly Oubre Jr. who had 15 points followed by Devin Booker who had 14. The Kings would go into the second half trailing the Suns 59-49 and in need of a comeback to snap the teams five-game losing streak.

In the third quarter, the Kings played better than the previous quarter but not well enough to take the lead. The Kings put 28 up on the scoreboard in the third compared to the Suns 22. Buddy Hield continued a good bounce-back night for the Kings ending the third with 19 points on 7-15 shooting. Devin Booker did what Devin Booker does in the first three quarters putting up 21 points on 9-15 from the field. In what has been a rough stretch for the Kings they looked to put a solid fourth-quarter together to snap the skid.

In the fourth, the Kings came storming back to tie the game at 81 with 10:48 left in the game. It was a new game and whichever team played better the rest of the way would win the game. The next five-plus minute’s teams would trade baskets back and forth. The game would come down to the final 30 seconds.

With 20.9 seconds left and the score 109-107 Suns ahead, Richaun holmes was fouled and made only 1 of his free throws to make it 109-108. The Suns had the ball with the shot clock off and took a timeout. Out of the timeout and with 18.9 seconds left, they inbounded to Devin Booker in the backcourt while leaving Aron Baynes wide open for a layup.

The score was 111-108. After a few fouls from both teams, the final possession would be the Kings down 112-110 and 5.9 seconds remaining. The Kings inbounded after the timeout to Buddy Hield who kicked to Harrison Barnes on the perimeter and missed the open three to end the game.

Up Next: The Kings travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets on Sunday at 5 PM PST. The Suns Travel to Portland to take on the Trailblazers on Monday night.