The curves have crossed for the Kings and Spurs, and tonight De’Aaron Fox’s teammates claim a 5th straight victory, while the Spurs are now 13th in the Western Conference. Winners 130-112, the Kings needed two “runs” to make the difference. The first at the start of the match with De’Aaron Fox and Kevin Huerter maneuvering to quickly give a 10-point lead (14-4). The Spurs will come to their senses, and the result will be more balanced (63-56 at the break).
Several times, Devin Vassell’s partners will equalize, but never go ahead. So Sacramento is going to deliver the coup de grace. The Fox / Monk tandem signs a 7-0 to end the 3rd quarter. The cut does not slow down this “run” which turns into 11-0 then 20-5. After three minutes in the last quarter, Sacramento got some fresh air (102-87) and it was Domantas Sabonis and Harrison Barnes, with 3-point shots, who were responsible for validating this 5th victory for suite, synonymous with 7th place in the West.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The quality of the collective. We do not want to ignite but at times, these Kings 2022/23 remind the Warriors… It moves all the time, and the Fox / Huerter duo has all the “Splash Brothers”. What is interesting, as in the Golden State of the great era, is the game without the ball after pick-and-roll to offer solutions to the ball carrier.
– Jeremy Sochan’s dunk. If you’re nostalgic for Blake Griffin’s “dunks”, Jeremy Sochan has given us a huge poster with this throwing of the ball in the characteristic circle of some Griffin “posters”.
– The Kings series. Sunday, the Kings will aim against the Pistons for a 6th victory in a row. This hasn’t happened to them since the 2004/2005 season!
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ De’Aaron Fox. A 5 of 5 on shots in the first quarter put his team on the right track. He plays fair, never overdoes it, and he defends better and better. He delivers 8 passes and loses no ball, and his +/- says a lot about his impact: +36!
✅Malik Monk. How could the Lakers let such a joker go? It was he, between the end of the 3rd quarter and the start of the 4th who gave the boost to repel the Spurs. He’s a serious candidate for the title of best 6th man.
✅ Devin Vasell. The “sophomore” garners maximum confidence in the absence of Keldon Johnson, and he shows that he can do everything. The fundamentals are there, and with the ball in hand, he can create his shot halfway or near the circle. Very little waste.
⛔ Jakob Poeltl. After his best career game against the Blazers, the Austrian did not weigh on the meeting. Trailing to defend on Sabonis, he suffered from the permanent movement of the Kings attack.
THE FOLLOWING
Sacramento (8v-6d) : reception of Detroit on Sunday
San Antonio (6v-10d) : Saturday trip to Los Angeles to face the Clippers
