Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan (10) gets up for a one handed shot over the Dallas Mavericks forward Kessler Edwards (20) at American Airlines Arena in Dallas on Mon Feb 10, 2025 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
This had to be one of the craziest games the Sacramento Kings (27-26) have played all season. In overtime they beat the Dallas Mavericks (28-26) 129-128. There were 28 lead changes in this game. The Kings DeMar DeRozan kept the team connected when the Mavericks took control in the fourth quarter. He finished with 42 points with every starter in double digits. Domantas Sabonis had his 47th double double of the season.
Monday night after a home win against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Kings went back out of the road taking on the Mavericks. The Mavericks have a bit of a new look these days with the absence of Luca Doncic who was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers sending Anthony Davis over to Dallas.
Davis has been good for the Mavericks contributing to their last two wins.. Their latest win was over the Houston Rockets 116-105 Saturday night. The Kings also come into this game on a win beating the New Orleans Pelicans Saturday night 123-118.
Sacramento was focused on containing Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson. The Kings didn’t face newcomer to Dallas Anthony Davis who will miss multiple weeks with a left adductor strain. His absence could very well stretch out to a month. This sure cut short what has been a spectacular debut with the Mavericks for Davis.
The Mavericks took a 35-27 lead after the first 12 minutes of play but the Kings had the answer outscoring the Mavericks 34-26 in the second quarter and at the half this game was dead even at 61.
After two quarters the Kings were shooting at 60% from the field and out-rebounding Dallas but the 12 turnovers they had in the first half did them no favors. Both Malik Monk and Keegan Murray had a quiet first half.
The good news for the Kings was that they had a far better start than they had Saturday night. Through the first two quarters of play this game was about as tight as it could be and this game was up for grabs. Despite a great start for Sacramento they had to put the stops on all the turnovers.
As the third quarter began to wind down Zach LaVine had to take a break committing his third foul. With three minutes left in the third, every starter had double digits with the exception of Malik Monk who was still dragging with only six points and no rebounds.
The quarter was a see-saw affair with lead changes all over the place not to mention the five ties. The Mavericks finished off the third quarter taking a 93-87 lead into the fourth quarter. The Dallas bench was crushing it hitting 50 points because their starters quite frankly were really struggling.
They were keeping the Mavericks in this game. There had been 12 ties in the game through three quarters. Sacramento now had 17 turnovers giving up 29 points on those turnovers.
The fourth quarter would decide this game. Sacramento had to put the reins on those turnovers in the final quarter. Those turnovers would no doubt make a huge difference in the eventual outcome of this game.
With 7 1/2 minutes left in the game the Mavericks had established a ten-point lead 103-93. With under seven minutes left in the game the Kings began to make a move cutting the Maverick’s lead to three 103-100.
DeMar DeRozan went on a crazy run. He just couldn’t miss going 4 of 4 from downtown and 13 of 15 in total. With five minutes left on the clock it was a one-point game. At the two minute mark, the Mavericks held onto a two-point lead 114-112.
With under a minute this game was once again tied this time at 114. There were seconds left on the clock when Kyrie Irving stole the ball and cashed in giving the Mavericks a 116-114. With 3.5 left in regulation this game was tied when DeMar DeRozan hit an 11-foot two-pointer.
There would be no walk-off win for Dallas and this game went into overtime. Dallas had only played in 2 overtimes games this season and the Kings had 4 overtime games under their belt.
The overtime went right down to the wire with the Kings taking the slightest of leads during the period. DeMar DeRozan who had been hot all night hit the shot that resulted in the 129-128 Sacramento win with two seconds left on the clock. There had been 28 lead changes in this hotly contested game.
The Sacramento Kings played one heck of a game against the Dallas Mavericks. The one thing that could have cost them dearly were the 21 turnovers in the game, something they have to clean up. DeMar DeRozan finished the game with 42 points and seven rebounds.
He hit the shot that gave the Kings the win in overtime. Every starter finished with double digits and Domantas Sabonis had his 47th double double of the season with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Zach LaVine and Malik Monk had 17 points apiece. The team shot 55% in Monday nights game.
The Mavericks Kyrie Irving finished the game with 30 points and Klay Thompson chipped in 19 points. The Dallas bench was outstanding with 64 points and very nearly pushed their team to a vicotry but came up just short.
The Kings will now travel to New Orleans for yet another couple of matchups with the Pelicans. They will take on the Pelicans Wednesday and Thursday night. Tipoff for the first game of the series is scheduled for 5:00 PM.
Before catching Kings basketball stop by Old Sacramento for a spectacular Mexican Meal at Le Terezza Restaurant at 1027 Second Street Sacramento. Choose from an array of delicious Mexican favorites on the menu. Call 916-440-0874.
21 lead changes
13 ties
