Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) drives as Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) and forward Scottie Barnes (4) defend during the second half  in Toronto on Wed Dec 14, 2022 (Canadian Press via AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Clutch free throw shooting by Sacramento in the final 32 seconds helped the Kings hold off the Toronto Raptors 124-123 Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

The Kings, who had six players score in double-figures, improved to 15-12; they trail Phoenix by one-half game in the NBA Pacific Division standings. Toronto slipped to 13-15.

DeAaron Fox made a 15-foot jumper from the top of the key with 1:07 remaining in the fourth quarter, giving the Kings a 120-115 lead. Fred VanVleet responded with a 14-foot driving bank shot to pull the Raptors to within 12-117 with :47.5 to play.

After the teams swapped turnovers, Harrison Barnes sank a pair of free throws with :31.8 to go, putting Sacramento up 122-117. With :21.4 left Scottie Barnes was fouled in the act of shooting, and sank one of two at the line.

The Kings’ Malik Monk was fouled while shooting by Thaddeus Young, and made one of two free throws with :19 to play, giving Sacramento a 123-119 lead. Twelve seconds later, VanVleet scored on a short hook shot, pulling the Raptors to within 123-121.

Sacramento called a full timeout after VanVleet’s basket, and Fox was fouled while shooting with :05.9 left. Fox made 1-of-2 foul shots, and after a Toronto timeout, VanVleet missed a long 3-point attempt.

Fox led the Kings with 27 points and 10 assists, while Monk scored 24 points off the bench. Domantas Sabonis scored 21 points and grabbed 20 rebounds to go with seven assists, Terence Davis had 10 points, followed by Harrison Barnes with 12 points and eight boards, and Keegan Murray with 10 points.

VanVleet popped in a game-high 39 points for Toronto, to go with eight rebounds, five assists, four steals and a block. Scottie Barnes had 27 points and 10 assists for the Raptors, with Pascal Siakam adding 19 points and six assists.

The Kings’ Eastern road trip continues Friday, when the face the Detroit Pistons.