Sacramento Kings guard Terence Davis, left, takes it to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers center Serge Ibaka and guard Paul George Sat Dec 4, 2021 at Golden One Center in Sacramento (AP News photo)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (10-14) were back in action on Saturday night in Sacramento. The LA Clippers (12-12) were in town to face the Kings at 7 PM PST. The Kings last played on Wednesday when they took on the same LA Clippers at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Kings beat the Clippers on Wednesday in a well-played game. Would the Kings be able to replicate that performance on Saturday night? Yes! The Kings took down the Clippers 104-99 in Sacramento.
Neither team took a commanding advantage over the other in the first quarter. The Kings scored 29 points, led by a substantial 10 minutes from De’Aaron Fox, who scored 10. The Kings defense had moments of strength in the first quarter, but the Clippers were hitting their three-point shots. The Clippers also scored 29 points thanks to Reggie Jackson and Paul George, who both scored eight.
In the second quarter, the Clippers kept pace with the Kings for most of the quarter. However, the Kings went on a run towards the end of the half. Tyrese Haliburton was hitting threes from around the floor, and the Kings outscored the Clippers 21-16 in the second quarter to take the lead going into halftime at 50-45.
The Kings were led by Tyrese Haliburton in the first half, who scored 15 points. Reggie Jackson led the way for the Clippers with nine points. Could the Kings finish off the Clippers in the second half?
In the third quarter, the Kings and Clippers went back and forth. The Kings went on a run to open the quarter, and the Clippers countered with a run of their own later in the third. However, the Kings managed to hit a few shots in the final seconds to outscore the Clippers 26-25 in the third.
That performance would give the Kings the 76-70 lead heading into the last 12 minutes of the game. Terence Davis was why the Kings were in the lead, shooting 4-5 from three-point range and scoring 13 points in the third quarter. The Kings would look to close out the game and attempt to beat the Clippers for the second time in two games.
In the fourth quarter, both teams made their bids for the victory. In the last minutes, the Kings would expand the lead; then, the Clippers would pull closer again. However, the Kings ultimately showed a lot of toughness and held onto the lead to beat the Clippers 104-99.
The Kings were outscored by the Clippers 29-28 in the game’s final quarter. For the Kings, Terence Davis led the way again. Davis, who has a renewed confidence in his shot, scored 28 points on 9-16 shooting. Tyrese Haliburton added 18 for the Kings in victory.
The Clippers were led by Marcus Morris Sr., who scored 21 points in defeat. It was an excellent win for the Kings, who have a manageable schedule going forward to inch closer to a .500 record. The Kings currently sit at 10-14 on the season.
Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday at 7 PM PST.
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