Tag: Sacramento Kings

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremaiah Salmonson: Kings and Rockets close out two game set tonight at Toyota Center

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Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell (15) throws down on Houston Rockets forwards Usman Garuba, left, and Kenyon Martin Jr., right, at the Toyota Center in Houston on Wed Mar 30, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, the Sacramento Kings (28-49) have won three out of their last four games beating such teams as the Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, and the Houston Rockets. The Kings also gave the Phoenix Suns fits March 20th only to lose to them by three points.

#2 On Wednesday night the Kings last game against the Houston Rockets (20-57) in Houston Davion Mitchell, Damian Jones and Trey Lyles each scored 24 points and that’s the kind of offense the Kings need to win games.

#3 The Rockets gave the Kings a run for their money with each team trading off double digit lead and narrowing it down in the fourth quarter in the four point 121-118 win for the Kings.

#4 Mitchell in his rookie year said he hopes the Kings can keep this kind of momentum up and be competitive next season. See what head coach Alvin Gentry has done over this last month how impressed are you by what he’s done with the team?

#5 Jeremiah, the Kings visit the Rockets one more time to close out this two game series in Houston. The Kings and Rockets went back and forth on Wednesday night do you see them pretty much doing the same for tonight’s game in Houston?

Join Jeremiah Fridays for the Sacramento Kings podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Squeeze Past the Rockets 121-118

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Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, right, gets the basketball around Sacramento Kings forward Justin Holiday (9) at the Toyota Center in Houston Wed Mar 30, 2022 (AP News photo)

Kings Squeeze Past the Rockets 121-118

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Sacramento Kings (27-49) took on the last place Houston Rockets (20-56). This is a game that the Kings should be able to handle despite the fact that De’Aaron Fox has been ruled out with a hand injury.

Fox has been having a great season although once again the Kings will miss the playoffs. Sacramento has not seen a postseason since 2006. This is the longest drought of any team in the NBA. The Kings carried on without Fox tonight picking up their third win in their last four games at the Toyota Center in Houston 121-118 in a nail biter.

It has been another disappointing season for the Kings. Sacramento was active in February at the trade deadline. They added the two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis. We may not see Fox or Sabonis reach their potential this season.

Head Coach Alvin Gentry all but confirmed that these guys are finished for the season. So between the hand injury for Fox and a bruised left knee for Sabonis it only makes sense for these guys to look ahead to next season. These two players could provide a lethal partnership but it looks as if that will be put on hold until 2022-23.

It was a great start for the Houston Rockets leading after the first quarter 39-28.

The Kings trailed by as much as thirteen points in the second quarter. The Rockets seemed to have the momentum until something within the Kings began to click. Sacramento turned the momentum completely around taking the lead 72-66 at halftime.

With three minutes left in the half they had tied the game at 57. The Rockets began missing and the Kings began hitting shots, blocking shots and forcing turnovers. Damian Jones had 17 points and both Davion Mitchell and Trey Lyles had 16. Harrison Barnes had a quiet half and the team would need him in the third and fourth quarters.

The Kings made a move in the third quarter leading by 11 but squandered it all away leading by a slim margin 104-103 as time elapsed in the quarter. Fouls and turnovers had turned the tide in favor of the Rockets. The Kings had some work to do to close out this game.

The fourth quarter was a tough one for both teams. In the first six minutes only four points were scored between both teams combined. With 5:30 left in the game the score was tied at 108. The score remained tied for the next two minutes.

With 1:11 left in the game the Kings took a 117-113 lead. This game would go down to the wire. With 10.4 left on the clock the Kings had a 119-118 lead. Two free throws from Trey Lyles and the Kings survived the challenge from the Rockets.

The Kings starters had a great game with Lyles, Jones and Mitchell each turning in 24 points and Harrison Barnes had a much improved second half with 13 points.

Next up for the Kings as they march toward the end of the season will be another matchup with Houston on Friday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Kings Can’t Stand The Heat: Miami cruises, snaps Sacramento’s modest win streak

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By Morris Phillips

Once the Heat established themselves on Monday, little space remained for the Kings to be who they are, or who they want to be for that matter.

How’s that?

“We got back to being who we are,” Miami’s Jimmy Butler said after he led the Heat to a 123-100 win over the Kings with his 27 points and seven assists. The Heat snapped a four-game slide with the win, and looked like the Eastern Conference leaders they’ve been in the latter stages of this season in the process.

Bam Adebayo also had a big night for Miami with 22 points, 15 rebounds and Tyler Herro added 20 in 29 minutes off the bench.

“Felt amazing to get back in the winning column,” Herro said.

The Kings (27-49) had their moment early, leading 6-0 briefly before the host’s grueling style wore down the visitors and their thinned rotation. Miami scored the next nine points and never looked back. Sacramento managed just 19 points in the first quarter, and they trailed by 12. The deficit grew to 16 at the half, and 25 points after three quarters. Most notably, the Kings improved defensive play took the night off as they surrendered 101 points with eight minutes left in the game.

Davion Mitchell play was once again an eye-opener for the Kings as he led them with 21 points and nine assists in 41 minutes on the floor. Drafted for his high-level, defensive intensity, the rookie continues to show polish in all facets of his performance.

“(It’s hard) playing him 40 minutes every night and guarding the best player,” coach Alvin Gentry said. “But he accepts that and goes out and does the very best he can. I think you can see the improvement, the improvement in his decision-making. The effort has always been there defensively, so we just have to continue to get better.”

Harrison Barnes added 17 points as the Kings played without the quartet of Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox, Terence Davis and Richaun Holmes for the fourth straight game. The Kings squandered an opportunity to win a third, consecutive road game and have lost 13 of 18.

The Kings conclude a five-game road swing with games at Houston on Wednesday and Friday. According to the Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson, an improbable 6-0 finish to the season–all against Western Conference opponents–could net the Kings the needed tie breakers to nab the 10th spot in the Western Conference. Possible, but highly unlikely as the Kings have yet to win four in a row this season.

The visit concluded Sacramento’s schedule against Eastern Conference teams. They finished 10-20 against the East, a major reason they likely will miss the playoffs for a 16th straight season.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Morris Phillips: Kings face an angry and hungry Heat club tonight in Miami

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It wasn’t pretty Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra (left) and Jimmy Butler (22) were trying to get at each other but teammates stepped in between during game against the Golden State Warriors on Sun Mar 20, 2022 in Miami. The Heat host the Sacramento Kings tonight and Miami have lost four straight games thus far. (photo from the New York Post)

On the Kings podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris the Sacramento Kings (27-48) have shown a lot of improvement over their last three games winning two out of three. The Kings going into tonight’s game in Miami have defeated the Indiana Pacers and the Orlando Magic their getting key help from Davion Mitchell, Harrison Barnes and Donte DiVincenzo.

#2 This game tonight might be more of a challenge for the Kings as the Miami Heat (47-28) have lost four in a row and Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and Jimmy Butler who verbally spared in a recent loss are angry and hungry for a win.

#3 The Kings have a 11-25 road record and are ninth in the Western Conference with 100.5 points. Like we said they have improved over their last three games nearly beating one of the best teams in the NBA. The Heat will be fired up tonight after losing four straight the Kings will need to be on their A game on both sides of the basketball tonight.

#4 The Heat took loses against the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and in their last game against the Brooklyn Nets. Looking at this this has to be shocking for a second place Eastern Conference team.

#5 The Kings Domantas Sabonis is out with a left knee which does not have any structural damage after going through an MRI last week. Sabonis is up for reevaluation this week. Morris they could use a guy like Sabonis in the line up tonight against the Heat.

Join Morris Phillips for the Sacramento Kings podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Hold Off Magic In Overtime 114-110

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Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony, right, gets fouled by Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell at the Amway Center in Orlando Sat Mar 26, 2022 (AP News photo)

Kings Hold Off Magic In Overtime 114-110

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Sacramento Kings (27-48) took on the Orlando Magic (20-55) at Amway Center. Neither team is playoff bound. Orlando sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference while the Kings are in 13th place in the Western Conference. The Kings made work of the Magic picking up their 27th win of the season with a 114-110 win on Saturday in overtime.

It is hard to believe that there are only eight games left in the season. In their last meeting back on Dec 8th in Sacramento the Kings came away with a 142-130 win. The Magic were slightly favored in this game playing at home.

The Kings are coming off a win against the Indiana Pacers in a close one 110-109 last Thursday. The high scorer in this game was Davion Mitchell who shot for 25 points and had 7 assists. The rookie has really been elevating his game since moving into the starting lineup last week.

He is averaging 26.5 points and eight assists in the last two games. In the Kings win over the Pacers seven players reached double digits. The team were relying heavily on Mitchell since De’Aaron Fox will not take the court tonight with a hand injury.

The Kings got a fast start in the first quarter taking a 41-28 lead, a high scoring quarter for Sacramento. The Magic started to turn things around in their favor outscoring the Kings 34-25 in the second quarter and at the half the Kings were holding onto a slim 66-62 lead.

Davion Mitchell was carrying the load in this game scoring 20 pts though three quarters. The Magic took a slim lead after three quarters 84-81. Franz Wagner and Mo Bamba were keeping Orlando in this game.

The Kings had to contain Wagner and Bamba going into the fourth quarter. Finishing games has been a problem for Sacramento this year and they need to finish this one if they hope to win. With five minutes left in the game the Magic held a slim 98-95 lead.

With 3:36 left in the game the Magic were making a move and the Kings were having trouble defending it. With the Magic continuing to lead 105-98 and 1:14 left in the game the Kings fought back and when the quarter came to an end the score was tied at 105 and they would go into overtime. The Kings had a second chance.

With 33.2 seconds left in overtime the score remained tied at 110. The Kings would take a 113-110 lead with 12 ticks left on the clock.

The Kings would hang onto this game and finish off the Magic in overtime. This was a gutsy performance by Sacramento with once again seven players scoring in double digits, Mitchell was the high with 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.

The Kings will next be facing the Eastern Conference leading Miami Heat. Tipoff Is scheduled for Monday at 4:30 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Close win ends Kings three game loss streak over Pacers; Sac in Orlando Saturday

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Indiana Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) passes the ball past Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell (15) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Wed Mar 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, the Sacramento Kings (26-48) got a last second tip in by Damian Jones that just got the Kings over the hump and defeated their hosts the Indiana Pacers (25-48) 110-109 on Wednesday night in Indiana.

#2 The Kings Trey Miles took a three point shot but with just 0.2 seconds left on the clock that missed and Jones jumped and tipped in the shot for the winner. Jones and the Kings have played much improved basketball of late.

#3 The Kings had lost three straight game previous to coming to Indiana and Kings head coach Alvin Gentry says the Kings have struggling on the road and winning Wednesday’s game against the Pacers was important.

#4 Gentry said he knows what Jones can do on being aggressive on the boards and Jones had a great block and got the winning tip.

#5 The Orlando Magic (20-54) have been playing .500 ball of late winning four of their last eight they lost their last game Wednesday to the Oklahoma City Thunder (21-52) 118-102 but one thing about the Magic lately you just don’t know which team is going to show up. The Magic and Kings go at it Saturday night in Orlando.

Jeremiah does the Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Finding An Edge: Kings tip Pacers ahead of the final buzzer, and get the last word on the Haliburton trade

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By Morris Phillips

In a game featuring some spirited competition, and some intentioned, pointed side glances, no one was particularly interested in saying just how important getting a win was.

Well, one guy, Sacramento’s Damian Jones, who tipped in the game-winner with less than a second remaining, didn’t hesitate to say what was on his mind. After all, that is what winners do.

“It was good to see Tyrese and Buddy. It felt good to rub it in,” Jones said after the Kings robbed the Pacers 110-109 in Indianapolis.

In a match-up that featured players traded in the second-most discussed trade deadline deal, most notably the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield, the Kings got the last word with the win, even if they weren’t tremendously interested in exploiting the occasion by running their mouths.

“We’ve been struggling on the road,” Kings coach Alvin Gentry said. “Just to come and find a way to win a game on the road is really important to us. It makes a statement that these guys haven’t quit. They’re still battling and do the best they can to win games.”

Along with the win, the Kings got slightly worse positioning in the upcoming draft lottery, which has flattened its odds to the point neither team will notice the difference a month from now when the ping pong balls start cycling. But the speculation regarding which team made out best vis-a-vis to the trade starts now. And with Domantas Sabonis fashioning himself as a double-double machine while rookie Davion Mitchell has more than adequately replaced Haliburton in the Sacramento lineup, the Kings aren’t looking like suckers for moving their dynamic, second-year player from Iowa State.

For one, the Kings are no longer last defensively in points allowed, the Rockets are. And the Kings’ defense was noticeable in the fourth quarter Wednesday, when they held the Pacers to 20 points. And no pointing fingers, but Haliburton missed the Pacers final shot attempt with 37 seconds left which would have put them up five. Then Hield fumbled the ball out of bounds with 14 seconds remaining, opening the door for the Kings.

This time the Kings saw the open door and walked right in. Down 109-108, the Kings saw Trey Lyles miss a 3 attempt with a couple seconds left only to see Jones tap in the careening basketball just ahead of the final horn.

“I missed a layup. Buddy had a bad turnover in the full court, obviously,” Haliburton said. “I thought we were in position to win. We just didn’t execute down the stretch.”

That the Kings had to show some grit late to secure just their tenth road victory in 35 outings wasn’t surprising. But their hot shooting first was. Without Sabonis and leading scorer De’Aaron Fox, both out with injuries, the Kings couldn’t miss, shooting 72 percent in the first quarter, and still above 61 percent at halftime, when they led 66-61.

Suns overtake Kings 127-124 in OT

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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) is fouled by Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles (41) in the second half at the Golden One Arena Sacramento on Sun Mar 21, 2022 (AP News photo)  

By Daniel Dullum
Sunday, March 20, 2022

The Phoenix Suns continued their winning ways Sunday at Golden 1 Center, squeaking out a 127-124 overtime win over the Sacramento Kings. Sacramento has lost 10 of its last 13 games.

Landry Shamet sank a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left in the extra period to put the league-leading Suns ahead to stay. Moments earlier, Damien Jones converted a put back to give Sacramento a 121-120 lead shortly after the Suns’ Devin Booker fouled out.

It was Shamet’s fifth 3-pointer of the game. He finished with 21 points, followed by Deandre Ayton with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Backup center JaVale contributed 14 points before fouling out in overtime.

After Mikal Bridges sank the second of two free throws, Jones made 1 of 2 from the stripe, Aaron Holiday got the rebound on the second free throw and Torrey Craig’s dunk sealed the game for Phoenix.

Booker’s jump shot put Phoenix ahead 110-108 with eight seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, but a layup by Davion Mitchell forced overtime.

Booker scored 19 of his 31 points in the third quarter as the Suns improved to 58-14, nine games ahead of Memphis in the overall NBA standings. There’s been a lot of pressure on Booker to pick up the slack while Chris Paul is sidelined with a broken right thumb, and sixth-man Cam Johnson is sidelined with a right quad contusion.

The Suns were also without backup point guard Cam Payne due to a non-COVID-19 illness, And Jae Crowder left the game with a right foot injury in the third quarter.

Mitchell had 28 points and nine assists for Sacramento while filling in for the injured De’Aaron Fox. Domantas Sabois added 18 points, 12 rebounds and six assists before leaving the game with a possible left knee injury.

The Kings travel to Indiana to face the Pacers on Wednesday.

Celts blowout Kings 126-97; Tatum leads with 32 in Boston victory

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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) is defended by Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Fri Mar 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Friday night at Golden One Center. The Kings were welcoming in the Boston Celtics. The last game the Kings played was on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Kings lost to the Bucks and go no relief with another top-ranked NBA team coming into town on Friday. On Friday, the Kings lost to the Celtics in blowout fashion 126-97.

In the first quarter, the game went back and forth. The Celtics started the game off hot. The Celtics scored the first nine points in the first quarter. The Kings then came back to tie the game, but it was not long-lasting.

The Celtics then went on another run of their own to outscore the Kings 32-26 in the first quarter. It was a shaky first quarter for the Kings that would look to tighten up the defensive going forward in the game.

In the second quarter, the Celtics took over the game on the Kings. Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown went off in a massive second-quarter for the Celtics. The Kings we outscored by 35-22 in what was an embarrassing quarter.

However, you have to give the Celtics credit where credit is due. The duo of Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown proved impossible to overcome.

The Kings were doing their best to stay in the game but the firepower of the Celtics was proving unbeatable in a game without De’Aaron Fox. The Kings would look to improve in the second half down 67-48.

In the third quarter, the Kings showed some life. The Kings scored 31 points in the third quarter to make a bit of a comeback push. On the other hand, the Celtics scored only 25 points to let the Kings inch a bit closer. Could the Kings continue their good play to make a comeback on the Boston Celtics? The Kings went into the final quarter down 92-79.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings showed fight early but were ultimately unable to mount much of a comeback on the Celtics. The Celtics outscored the Kings 34-18 in the final quarter to win the game by the final 126-97.

It was an ugly ending for the Kings in a game they didn’t have much hope of winning from the jump. The Celtics were led by Jason Tatum who finished with 32 points followed by Jaylen Brown who scored 30.

On the Kings side, Domantas Sabonis played a great game going for 30 points, 20 rebounds, and five assists. It was a great performance from the big man that unfortunately will go overshadowed by the Celtics blowout. The Kings will look to turn the page in their next game.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Phoenix Suns on Sunday at 3 PM PST at Golden One Center.

Giannis, Bucks just too much for Kings 135-126

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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) takes the ball up the floor against the Sacramento Kings on Wed Mar 16, 2022 at Golden One Center in Sacramento (photo from AP News)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (25-46) were back in town on Wednesday night to take on the Milwaukee Bucks (44-26) at Golden One Center. The Kings last played on Monday night against the Chicago Bulls and beat them 112-103. On Wednesday, in what appeared to be a lopsided challenge, the Bucks beat the Kings 135-126.

In the first quarter, the Kings put up a surprisingly good start to the game. The Kings managed to start the offense on a high note scoring 31 points in the first quarter. On the other hand, the Bucks also put up a decent first quarter.

The Bucks scored 28 points in the first to keep the Kings within reach. Neither team played great defense in the first as it looked like they both came out with a focus on the offensive side of the ball.

In the second quarter, the Kings took a big lead early. However, the Bucks would come back and make the game close again as the second quarter came to a close. The Bucks ended up outscoring the Kings in the second quarter 40-30 to take a lead into halftime.

The Kings defense crumbled in the second quarter as the Bucks took advantage. Kris Middleton had a big first half leading the Bucks in scoring with 17.

Giannis trailed just behind him in points with 14. For the Kings, they received their best first-half contribution from Domantis Sabonis who had 13 points. The Kings would look to keep the game close or come back in the third quarter. The Kings went into halftime down 68-61.

In the third, the Kings continued to lose ground. The Kings were outscored by the Bucks 33-31 in the third to dig their hole a little bit deeper. The Kings couldn’t stop Giannis and the Bucks as they continued to have their way on the Kings defense. The Kings would end up down 101-92 heading into the final quarter of action. Could the Kings come back?

In the fourth quarter, the Kings weren’t able to mount a full comeback. The Kings put up a fight but ultimately fell to the Bucks 135-126 at Golden One Center. The Kings battled in the fourth all the way to within a few points of taking the lead.

The Kings and Bucks both scored 34 points in the fourth. All night Giannis and Kris Middleton proved too much for the Kings to overcome. Giannis scored 36 points followed by Kris Middleton who dropped 32 in the contest. For the Kings, Domantas Sabonis scored 22 points followed by De’Aaron Fox with 21 points. The Kings had six players in double figures in the loss.

Up Next: The Kings will stay home to take on the Boston Celtics on Friday at 7 PM PST in Sacramento.