Category: Sacramento Kings

Kings take another fall in 112-107 loss to Hornets after Grizzlies’ rout

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Photo credit: @StrikaNation24_

By: Jeremiah Salmonson

Sacramento — The Sacramento Kings and the Charlotte Hornets both came into their game Monday evening coming off losses. The Kings lost in a big way on Friday night, losing to the Memphis Grizzlies 106-88. The Hornets, on the other hand, played a great game on Saturday. However, they fell 106-105 against the Miami Heat. The Kings and Hornets were looking to bounce back at the Spectrum Center on Monday.

The first quarter would prove to have plenty of offense in it. The Kings scored 33 and the Hornets scored 35 in the first quarter. The points in the first for the Kings came from all over the roster with no player having more than six points by the end of the first. Bogdan Bodanovic had five points in the first along with Fox and Hield. Kosta Koufos had six points in the first leading the Kings. Leading the Hornets in the first would be Jeremy Lamb with five points. Dwight Howard and Nicolas Batum each had seven, and Kembra Walker ended the first with eight points.

The second quarter would prove to be a good one. That is until the Hornets scored the last eight points in the second quarter. That would send the hornets into the locker room ahead 67-55 over the Kings. At the half, the Kings were shooting at 38.5% from downtown, and 46.2% in field goals while making two of three free throws.

The Hornets, on the other hand, shot 50% outside, 54.8% of field goals, and 11 of 13 free throws. Leading the way for the Kings was De’Aaron Fox with ten points after the first half. Kosta Koufos had six rebounds and Bogdanovic had four assists. The Hornets led the way with Jeremy Lamb scoring 13 points. Dwight Howard had eight rebounds and four assists for Kemba Walker.

Going into the third, it appeared the Kings had lost some steam with the Hornets scoring the last eight points of the first half. Carter started the third quarter by hitting a three. That made the score 68-58 with 10:32 to play in the third. The Kings had fallen behind 13 points with 7:56 to go in the third quarter. The score would be 73-60 when the Kings took a timeout. One of the lopsided figures so far in this game was free throws. With 5:37 to go in the third the Kings had made three of four free throws.

Meanwhile, the Hornets managed to make 12 of 15 attempts from the line. Bogdan Bogdanovic took a blow with 4:45 to play in the third. He was down for a minute but made his way back up. The officials took it to replay and determined it was not a flagrant and play resumed. The Kings would battle but end the third trailing 92-75.

The Hornets would extend extend their lead to 20 points with only 10:30 to play. The score at the time was 95-75. 8:14 remained in the game with the Kings trailing by 16 points and coach Dave Joerger took a timeout. The Kings continued to battle with Buddy Hield and the Kings going on a 15-6 run. With 4:57 to go, the Kings got the score back to a respectable 101-92. The game would go back to forth until the Kings made it 107-102. However, the Hornets would pull away and bury the Kings 112-107.

What’s next?
Kings: Tuesday against Orlando Magic in Orlando at 4 pm PST.

Hornets: Wednesday against New Orleans Pelicans at 4:30 pm PST.

Kings lose seventh consecutive game as Grizzlies win 106-88 on Friday night

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

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By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings kicked off their longest road trip of the season on Friday night in Memphis versus the Grizzlies. It was big night for head coach Dave Joerger, Zach Randolph and Vince Carter as they were returning to the city where they enjoyed great success as members of the Grizzlies basketball organization.

Unfortunately for the Kings, they were not able to make it a great night for Joerger, Z-Bo and Vince by handing the Grizzlies a loss and making the local fans realize what they are missing by not having those three men still involved with their team.

Memphis handed Sacramento their seventh consecutive loss as they beat the Kings 106-88. For the Grizzlies, it was their third win in a row.

The Kings continued their commitment to young player development on Friday night. Sacramento started Justin Jackson, Willie Cauley-Stein, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Aaron Fox and because it was his first time back in Memphis–veteran Zach Randolph was in the starting five.

The Kings started slow and trailed the Grizz 30-17 after the first 12 minutes. The men from SAC pulled things together in the second period and outscored the hometown team 23-10 to make it a 40-40 game at the half.

As it has been so many times this season, the third quarter was the Kings undoing in this contest. Memphis took control of the game and won the quarter putting up 27 points to Sacramento’s 19.

The Grizzlies seized upon the lead they established in the third quarter and went on to dominate the final period by outscoring the Kings 39-29. Not only was this Sacramento’s seventh consecutive loss but it starts them out 0-1 on this long, tough road trip.

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Stars of the Game

Memphis

  • Star of the game for the Grizzlies has to go to former Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore. McLemore came off the bench to play almost 27 minutes and score 21 points against his old mates. He shot six for 13 from the field–including three 3-point baskets. Ben “Mac” went a perfect six for six from the free throw line. McLemore played like a man who had something to prove to other side.
  • Dillion Brooks gets a co-star billing for being the high scorer in the game with 22 points. Brooks shot eight for 13 from the floor and three for six from behind the 3-point line. He also was a good thief as he grabbed three steals in his 27-plus minutes of playing time.

Sacramento

  • The Kings star of the game is starting point guard De’Aaron Fox who scored a team-high 16 points. Fox hit five of 12 shots from the floor and went a perfect five for five from the free throw line. The rookie point guard also dished out six assists in the contest.
  • The co-star tag goes to veteran Vince Carter. Carter played just over 23 minutes and posted 15 points. The Kings “O.G” went five for nine from the floor and all five of his baskets were 3-point conversions. Tomorrow morning he may not be able to walk, but Friday night he was 21 years old again.

Key Stats

Grizzlies (16-28)

  • Memphis took good care of the basketball. They committed 13 turnovers (16 Kings points) while they posted 24 assists. That put them right at the target of the 2-to-1 ratio that every coach wants to see.
  • The Grizzlies out-rebounded the Kings 49-44
  • Memphis outscored Sacramento on the fast break 19-12

Kings (13-32)

  • Sacramento turned the ball over 21 times (26 Memphis points) and recorded just 18 assists. That is a negative assist to turnover ratio. That will not help you record a win.
  • The Kings shot just 40 percent (32 for 80) for the game. The Grizzlies shot 44.3 percent (39 for 88) from the field. Memphis did not shoot great but it was just enough better than Sacramento to post the win.
  • The Kings gave the opposition an advantage in the third quarter again on Friday night. Sacramento cannot have those third quarter let downs and expect to win games.

Up Next

Kings

Sacramento is off until Monday night when they will play the Hornets in Charlotte. Maybe a couple of good practices will help them be ready to face the Hornets and break the losing streak.

Grizzlies

Memphis has to get right back to business on Saturday as they have to face the Pelicans in New Orleans. The NBA schedule can be a harsh mistress.

Sportstalk Podcast at Sauced BBQ Restaurant Downtown Sacramento: Thu Jan 18, 2018

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yelp!.com photo: Sauced BBQ Restaurant downtown Sacramento site of Sportstalk remote Thu Jan 18, 2018

Cast Michael Duca (host), Charlie O (Sacramento Kings beat reporter), London Marq (Stanford Cardinal reporter),Ana Kieu (USA Today), Jordan Chapin (Sacramento Kings reporter and photographer), and Lee Leonard (producer). Podcasting from the lively and the very best in Bar B Que Sauced BBQ Restaurant at 1028 7th Avenue in downtown Sacramento next to Golden One Center home of the Sacramento Kings. Today’s coverage the Kings, Golden State Warriors, headline news on the NBA and other sports headlines.

Our thanks to our hosts at Sauced BBQ Kevin Shaw General Manager, Kristina Wulff Director of Brand Development, Kyle Woodfill Regional Director of Kitchen Operations. Sauced BBQ wants to remind everyone Wow, we are so excited to have the opportunity to bring authentic BBQ to Northern California. Our goal here is always to provide excellent food, great drinks, and an unmatched Southern charm and ambiance. We want every one of our guests to become a part of our extended family and walk out of here with a memorable experience and a full stomach. Be careful what you wish for though…our family is CRAZY!!!

The Jazz hand Kings their sixth consecutive loss 120-105; rookie Mitchell puts up 34 points for UTA

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

Sacramento – Wednesday night was game one of the Sacramento Kings “youth movement” where the emphasis would be placed on getting the younger team members more time on the floor. Winning would be the secondary goal.

That sounds like a potentially painful proposition, and it proved to be very painful versus the visiting Utah Jazz.

Both teams entered the contest looking to end losing streaks. The Jazz had lost two consecutive games. The Kings were losers in their previous five match ups. This was Sacramento’s last home game before heading out on their longest road trip of the season to face Memphis, Charlotte, Orlando, Miami, San Antonio and finally Boogie Cousins and the New Orleans Pelicans.

This game looked winnable and they needed a win.

The Kings – who led by as many as 10 points in the first quarter – lost the lead for the final time with 8:58 remaining in the second period. They would trail by 10 points at the half, by 15 points at the end of three quarters and 15 at the final buzzer.

SAC could not find a “lock-down defense” that could stop rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell who seemed to score at will, and Rodney Hood who may have played his best game of the year for the Jazz.

Kings head coach Dave Joerger analyzed the game in nine words, ” … we need to play with a lot more nasty.”

What the coaches had to say after the game

Stars of the Game

Jazz

  • Rookie Guard Donovan Mitchell was without a doubt the star of the game for Utah. He scored a game-high 34 points in just over 34 minutes of playing time. Whenever a player scores a point per minute played, he has had an outstanding game. Mitchell shot 14 for 19 overall and converted five of seven from the free throw line. He also contributed three assists and made three steals.
  • Rodney Hood – the fourth year player out of Duke – also had an outstanding game scoring 25 points to earn co-star honors. Hood hit nine of 16 field goal shots and made four of nine 3-point attempts. He went a perfect three for three from the charity stripe. Hood grabbed eight rebounds and made two steals.
  • Joe Ingles and Derrick Favors must also receive best supporting performance awards. Ingles put up 14 points going four for seven from 3-point land. Favors also scored 14 and he pulled down 11 rebounds to make it a double-double game.

Kings

  • Willie Cauley-Stein receives the star of the game for the Kings for recording a double-double. WCS scored 26 points and hauled in 10 rebounds in almost 37 minutes on the floor. He shot 11 for 18 from the field. Cauley-Stein was the Kings high-scorer.
  • Sacramento’s co-star has to be Bogdan Bogdanovic who posted 25 points in 39 minutes of playing time. Bogey shot nine for 11 overall and was a perfect six for six from behind the 3-point line. He also grabbed six rebounds.
  • George Hill gets a featured player credit for scoring 20 points in 36 minutes versus his former teammates. He shot six for 10 from the floor and four for five from 3-point land. Hill also recorded three steals. Many still believe that the Kings are showcasing Hill for possible trades before the February 8th trade deadline.

Key Stats

Utah

  • The Jazz shot 56.8-percent (46 for 81) overall for the game. They hit 12 of 29 attempts from behind the 3-point line (41.4-percent).
  • Utah took advantage of the free throw line converting 16 of 20 (80-percent) opportunities.
  • The Jazz dished out 26 steals while committing only 10 turnovers to exceed the desired goal of a 2:1 ratio. The Kings scored 19 points off the 10 Jazz turnovers.
  • Utah made 15 steals in the contest.

Sacramento

  • The Kings shot an impressive 52.8-percent (38 for 72) from the floor. They just did not have enough attempts and conversions to keep pace with the Jazz.
  • SAC shot an impressive 13 for 21 (61.9-percent) from behind the 3-point arc.
  • The Kings had 19 assists and 19 turnovers. A 1 to 1 ratio is not acceptable. The Jazz scored 27 points off those 19 Sacramento turnovers.

Up Next

Sacramento

The Kings will return to action on Friday in Memphis versus the Grizzlies. Sacramento lost to Memphis 114-96 on New Year’s Eve in SAC.

Utah

The Jazz will host the Knicks on Friday night in Salt Lake City.

 

 

The Thunder beat the Kings 95-88; Sacramento has lost five in a row

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Photo credit: @SacramentoKings

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings suffered their fifth loss in a row as the Oklahoma City Thunder won 95-88 at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Monday night. The Kings’ losing streak may not end anytime soon with their intensified commitment to player development continues.

Sacramento went with a very young starting five on Monday night. Dave Joerger tapped Skal Labissiere, Willie Cauley-Stein, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Aaron Fox and Garrett Temple to start the game. Temple was the only starter who was not playing on his original NBA contract and he played just under 18 minutes in the game.

Buddy Hield and Justin Jackson saw significant playing time coming off the bench for Sacramento. Veteran point guard George Hill played just over 24 minutes, but that may be the Kings trying to showcase Hill for a possible trade. There have been persistent rumors that the Nuggets have real interest in picking up Hill who has become expendable with the emergence of Frank Mason.

The Kings played well in the first-half and actually held the lead at halftime 52-46. De’Aaron Fox and George Hill each scored 10 points in the half to lead the Sacramento scoring attack.

As it has been so often this season, the third quarter was the Kings downfall. The Thunder outscored Sacramento 31-16 in the quarter. Carmelo Anthony put up 15 points for OKC shooting 5 for 11 in the period. The Kings used nine players in the quarter but only three of them scored. Willie Cauley-Stein posted seven points, Bogdan Bogdanovic scored six and Garrett Temple recorded three points.

The Kings had a glimmer of hope in the fourth quarter when Russell Westbrook received back-to-back technical fouls and was ejected from the game with 2:51 remaining to play in the contest and the Thunder leading 91-80.

Sacramento was never able to cut the Oklahoma City lead to less than seven points and wound up losing the game 95-88. The Kings are now 13-30 on the season and reside in last-place in the Western Conference. The Thunder’s record improved to 24-20 which puts them in fifth-place in the Western Conference.

Stars of the Game

Thunder

  • The “Big Three” for OKC take the honors and that is really no surprise. Carmelo Anthony scored a game-high 20 points shooting 7 for 19 and grabbing nine rebounds as well. Russell Westbrook posted a double-double with 19 points and 16 rebounds. Paul George put 18 points in the book.
  • Steven Adams receives the award for “mouth of the game”. The big man did not stop chirping at the officials throughout entire contest. If Westbrook was ejected for going overboard with his complaints, Adams should have received the same punishment. The constant negative chatter directed at the officials has to stop. Adams scored 13 points shooting 5 for 11 from the floor, but he hit only 3 of 12 from the charity stripe.

Kings

  • Buddy Hield led the scoring attack for Sacramento. Hield came off the bench to score 16 points in almost 28 minutes on the floor. Hield shot just 6 for 15 and was 0 for 5 from behind the 3-Point line. He was a perfect 4 for 4 at the free throw line.
  • Willie Cauley-Stein had another strong game. The Kings starting center played 39 minutes and 52 seconds in the game and scored 15 points. He hit 6 of 13 field goal attempts while pulling down seven rebounds and adding three steals.

Key Stats

OKC

  • The Thunder out-rebounded the Kings 58-37. Of their 58 rebounds, 18 came on offense. Those 18 offensive rebounds turned into 13 second chance points for the Thunder.
  • Turnovers: OKC had 20 TOV but they led to just seven points for Sacramento. The Kings committed 15 turnovers which the Thunder turned into 18 points.

SAC

  • The Kings had a 15 point lead at one point in the game.
  • SAC scored 13 second chance points converting 5 of 6 opportunities.
  • The used 10 players in the game including Georgios Papagiannis.

Up Next

Kings

SAC will host the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night at the Golden 1 Center. The Kings will then head out on a six game road trip – the longest of the year.

Thunder

OKC will host the Lakers on Wednesday night.

Kings Press Row Podcast for Week 13 in the NBA – who could be traded

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ClipsKingsHosts Charlie O & Jordan “Chape” Chapin

A look back at Week 13 in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings.

      • The Kings offense vs. Spurs, Lakers & Clippers
        Which Kings excelled in Week 13
      • Who should be starting for the Kings
      • Who may not be a King after February 8th
      • A look ahead at the schedule for Week 14

Clippers get back to .500, complete sweep over Kings

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Photo credit: @SacramentoKings

By Pearl Allison Lo

LOS ANGELES — Despite their injuries, the Clippers worked back to an even-steven record in a towering 126-105 win over the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center Saturday.

The last time Los Angeles was at .500 was on November 7. Along with a four-game win streak, the Clippers completed a four-game sweep over Sacramento, sweeping the team for the first time since the 2013-14 regular season. This blowout continued a trend of close then blowout games between the teams.  

Los Angeles was facing the Kings for the second game in a row. Thursday was when the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan got injured, and to be safe, Jordan (ankle) missed his first career game due to injury in 10 years.

Willie Reed, who started instead of Jordan, got his first double-double of the season with 14 points and a game-tying 13 rebounds.

Los Angeles’ Lou Williams led all scorers with 26 points. Sacramento’s Willie Cauley-Stein had a double-double of 23 points and a game-tying 13 rebounds. Teammate De’Aaron Fox also had a double-double of 17 points and a game-high 10 assists.

Clippers’ forward Blake Griffin’s thoughts on them being a fun team to coach were, “…even with all the injuries and having to be on the sideline. This team really bonds with each other, really vibes well with each other. I think we just play hard…I agree with [Doc Rivers] that this is a really fun team and we have kind of a special bond.”

Los Angeles led ever since 9:39 left in the first when it was 5-4.

The Kings started off with a 4-0 run but then the Clippers surpassed them with a 10-0 run, initiated by Reed’s triple. Sacramento either missed or lost the ball, as they missed three 3-pointers. Griffin accounted for half of the 10 points, as he and Milos Teodosic both hit threes. Garrett Temple was able to score four points, but Williams was able to score three free throws from one of Sacramento’s fouls with 6:08 left.

The Kings could not connect on more than two possessions as Los Angeles went to the line four times. The Clippers shot 58.8% from the field while Sacramento shot 36.4%. Los Angeles’ Tyrone Wallace led all scorers with six points. Reed had five rebounds and two steals.

On the turnover troubles and taking care of the ball, Kings’ head coach Dave Joeger replied, “It’s just bad passes and bad ball-handling. It’s just individual work and guys just got to improve their individual skills.”

Fox mentioned, “…It happens, that’s the cost of playing fast. We’re still getting used to it and trying to cut down…”

In the second, the Kings never got closer than 13, but improved greatly in getting their biggest run so far at seven points, Cauley-Stein with four points and Vince Carter hitting a three with 6:07 left. Sacramento also went to the free throw line and scored from beyond the arc for the first time and shot 45.8% from the field.  The Clippers reached their highest lead of the game at the time, 21 points with 19.3 seconds left, but Buddy Hield pulled up for a first half score of 64-45. Williams led in the second with 10 points and three steals, Fox had seven points and four assists and Cauley-Stein nabbed six rebounds.

Cauley-Stein pointed out, “Our energy didn’t really come until the second-half, so by then they already got us in a hole and you got to try to chip away. You can’t make any mistakes if you want to play like that.”

The Clippers’ dominance continued to hold as the Kings were held at least 14 points away. The Clippers’ lead reached a high of 23 points when Jawun Evans, after heading to the basket, dropped the ball back to Montrezl Harrell, who followed up with a jam into the net.

In the final quarter, Los Angeles’ lead grew to 25 and the closest Sacramento got was 15. This was the only time the Kings were able to outscore the Clippers, 37-35, when Sacramento shot 75% from the field.

Regarding growing pains, Cauley-Stein suggested, “…it’s got to come from us holding each other accountable. Like enough is enough. I think coach is at that point where he’s not going to play you if you’re not doing the right thing and I think that’s how it should be. Kind of like a college team…we’re also young and a lot of us just came out of college too…”

Game notes: Los Angeles’ C.J. Williams continued his absence with a sprained right ankle.

Up next: Sacramento will finish their two-game road trip versus the Oklahoma City Thunder Monday at 5 pm PT.

Kings’ comeback falls short as Clippers run away with 121-115 win

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Photo credit: @SacramentoKings

By: Jordan Chapin

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On a Thursday night in Sacramento, the Los Angeles Clippers came into town after arguably their biggest win of the season against the Golden State Warriors. They kept their momentum going tonight, edging the Sacramento Kings, 121-115, at the Golden 1 Center.

In a game where DeAndre Jordan went down with an ankle sprain in the first half, Montrezl Harrell stepped up in a big way, shooting a near perfect 11-for-12, and ending his night with 25 points. Despite brilliant efforts from George Hill and a new career-high in points with 22 from Bogdan Bogdanovic, the Kings turned on the switch too little, too late.

In the first half, the Kings trailed as much as 14 points, and Lou Williams proceeded to have a field day. Williams had 21 points by the end of the first half and ended the game with 30. Sacramento trailed throughout the entirety of the game, until Zach Randolph hit a go-ahead jump shot to give the Kings the lead with four minutes to go. In crunch time, big players stepped up in big ways, after a Blake Griffin three-pointer and a Williams fadeaway jumper, the Kings didn’t have enough to match the Clippers and lost the battle against the clock.

Sacramento did shoot pretty well as a team at 50%, but struggled from behind the arc, shooting only 30%. Offensively, the Kings did well, ending with six players in double-digit scoring and assisting on 23 baskets. L.A. was just flat out the better team, with more star players, and a bit more fire power, even with key players being out. This is Sacramento’s third loss this year to the Clippers, but they have an opportunity to steal a game in the series finale at the Staples Center. This Thursday night loss extends the Kings home losing streak to 11 games.

Up next for the Kings is their second trip in Los Angeles in three days where they will battle the Clippers once again on Saturday night. It is questionable that Jordan will return from his ankle injury, but you can bet Williams will be coming out hot, as he has done for the last 12 years.

After that, they will fly to Oklahoma City and face a team in the Thunder that they beat earlier in the season, so you know OKC will be coming out hard and aggressive.

Sacramento Kings
Star of the Game: George Hill
George Hill had one of his best games of the season, shooting only 5-for-13 from the field, but was 10-of-13 from the free throw line. Hill played very aggressive throughout the whole game and was the biggest key for Sacramento getting back into the ball game. He ended with 21 points, three rebounds, and three assists.

Key Stats
-Six players in double-digits
-Bogdan Bogdanovic set a new career high with 22 points
-Kosta Koufos has recorded 29 rebounds in last two games
-Sacramento allowed 43 points in the second quarter, which is a season-high for an opponent in a quarter.

Los Angeles Clippers
Star of the Game: Montrezl Harrell
Montrezl Harrell had a season-high 25 points tonight and filled a huge gap when DeAndre Jordan went down early. Harrell played with major energy off the bench and  was nearly perfect scoring around the basket. He shot 11-for-12 from the field, but struggled from the free throw line shooting a poor 3-for-9. Harrell capped off his night with six rebounds and a Clippers victory.

Key Stats
-Lou Williams scored 70 points in two nights
-Assisted on 28 made baskets
-Shot 51% from the field and 42% from three-point land
-Blake Griffin ended with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists after missing a few games with a concussion

Kings fall in Los Angeles to the Lakers 99-86

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

Photo credit: @SacramentoKings

By Jordan Chapin

On a Tuesday night in the Staples Center, the Sacramento Kings loss a roller coaster game to the Los Angeles Lakers, 99-86. In a always anticipated Fox vs. Ball match up, it was pretty even, Fox shot 6-for-16 from the field with 15 points, three assists, and one rebound, while Ball struggled from the field shooting 2-for-10, but had 11 assists and 11 rebounds. Tonight the Lakers channeled their inner “showtime,” and frankly ran the Kings out of the building, scoring 35 points via fast break.

The Kings put themselves in a hole quick, as the Lakers went on a 17-0 run and went up 24-6 only five minutes into the game. Despite being down early, the Kings led by Bogdan Bogdanovic and De’Aaron Fox who had 10 of his 15 points in the first quarter came surging back with a run of their own, cutting the Lakers lead to just 31-27 at the end of the first quarter.

Sacramento trailed only 53-52 going into halftime, but frustration began to kick in when the Kings came out on the floor for the second half. The outside shooting of Brook Lopez and the inside presence of Julius Randle was too much for Sacramento to handle. Despite Los Angeles turning the ball over 25 times, the Kings shot a minuscule 34% from the field and never gave themselves a chance to get back in the game scoring only 12 points in the fourth quarter.

The Sacramento Kings will try their luck on Thursday with the other team from “La La Land”, the Los Angeles Clippers, who continue to battle with injuries to key players such as Blake Griffin and Patrick Beverly. With the first half of the season winding down, the Kings and Lakers now sit with the same record of 13-27.

Sacramento Kings:
Star of the Game: Bogdan Bogdanovic

Bogy

Tying his career high with 19 points, Bogdanovic was key in keeping the Kings in the game for as long as they did. Bogey shot 7-for-13 from the field with 4 assists and 2 rebounds. Despite one of his most efficient games of the year, it wasn’t enough to slow down a speedy Lakers team.

Kings’ Key Stats:
Forced 25 turnover and had 15 assists

Shot 34% from the field and 38% from 3 point land

Went to the free throw line 27 times, only made 18 of 27 shots

Kosta Koufas: 15 rebounds, one away from career high

Vintage Vince Carter Dunkage: 1

Los Angeles Lakers:
Star of the Game: Julius Randle

Randle was the most dominant player on the floor tonight with 22 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. Bringing energy off the bench, Randle opened up the floor for his teammates tonight with a heavy presence down low and reckless abandon to the rim.

Key Stats:
Shot 48% from the field and 34% from 3-point land, despite shooting 35 shots behind the arc.

30 assists as a team, 11 of which came from Lonzo Ball

Went to the line 21 times, made only 13 of 21

Two players with a double-double

35 points scored from fast breaks

Kings blow lead, lose to Spurs 107-100

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Photo credit: @SacramentoKings

By: London Marq

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Kings started their game with the Spurs with one of their better opening quarters of the season. While a trend of slow starts has plagued Sacramento for the better part of the campaign, tonight was not one of those nights.

For the Kings, it was a defensive effort to begin the game–a defensive effort that fueled offensive production. By the end of the first quarter, the Kings had the lead and Willie Cauley-Stein was well on his way to a double-double with 10 points and five rebounds.

The Kings kept the Spurs flat on offense. All five San Antonio starters had negative plus/minus efficiency after one quarter as they were held to just 21 points. The Kings played well through the second quarter and would go into the half with a 10-point lead (56-46).

When the Spurs stepped on the hardwood for the third quarter, they were a different team. The tempo of their effort kicked it up a notch on both sides of the court. Sacramento was forced to slow down and be more careful with the ball. Sacramento, who led by as many as 14, lost their rhythm. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 11 third quarter points and helped the Spurs get back to a three-point deficit going into the fourth quarter.

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovic was complimentary of Aldridge after the game, saying: “He was a big factor tonight. He’s taking advantage of the extra minutes he’s been getting during the season”.

Indeed, Aldridge was a major part of San Antonio’s game plan. He finished with 31 points and 12 boards. Davis Bertans also poured in 28 for the Spurs. The Kings led for the vast majority of the game, with 5 plays scoring double digits.

However, like we’ve seen time and time again from Gregg Popovic and the Spurs found away to steal the game away from Sacramento. With the deficit disappearing as the fourth quarter progressed, the Kings began to make mistakes that young teams make: turnovers and bad fouls.

Sacramento had 18 turnovers that translated to 24 points for the Spurs, and six of those turnovers came in the final period.  The Spurs would close the game on a 17-5 run and snag a win before heading to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Thursday. San Antonio has now won 12 straight games against Sacramento.

The Kings will chalk this one up as a learning experience, as they host Los Angeles’s other team, the Clippers on Thursday as well. With the latter half of the season quickly approaching the Kings will look to find some consistency they sorely need.

Final: Spurs defeated Kings 107-100.

Up Next: Kings host the Clippers on Thursday at 7 pm PT.