In this decisive match for places 6 to 10, it is the Suns who start the match best by leading a large part of the first quarter. However, Harrison Barnes allows his team to come back first with a 3-point shot, then in penetration with the fault of Jusuf Nurkic (10 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks). Domantas Sabonis (25 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists), who was until then quite discreet against the Nurkic mass, will move away from the circle to start his match. It gives the Kings the advantage with a wide shot. He maintains this lead with work with his back to the basket. Kings advantage after twelve minutes: 27 – 22.
Jusuf Nurkic, again, put in a good defense. This benefits Kevin Durant (28 points) who grabs the rebound and dribbles to the other basket to score two points and the foul. He doesn't stop there, he adds a mid-range shot to take the advantage. But the Suns fall back into their mistakes. Bullet losses are increasing. And quickly, Mike Brown's men regained an 8-point lead. They didn't ask for that much before returning to the locker room (45-54).
Like against the Clippers, the Suns finish strong
The Kings return to the floor with the same desire. In a very small space, Sabonis finds Keegan Murray (23 points at 5/12 from far) for a “backdoor”. Then, he even steals a ball to give it to Keon Ellis. That’s already +14 for the locals. Kevin Durant makes the effort and with a shot in the corner, he gets back to within 10 lengths of Sacramento. 78 -85.
At the start of the fourth quarter, the gap stabilized between 5 and 8 points. But that is until Grayson Allen got off-balance in the paint while putting in his shot. Behind, Bradley Beal equalizes with a long-range shot. Sacto breathes a little when Harrison Barnes causes Devin Booker's 5th foul. He gives the Kings a 4-point lead with just over 5 minutes left to play. On the next possession, De'Aaron Fox (23 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals) steals the ball from Grayson Allen who tries to drive. On the counter-attack, he runs to the back line attracting the attention of the 5 Suns, he then finds Keegan Murray alone at 45°. The latter hits the mark and gives the Kings a seven-point lead.
Frank Vogel's men are not giving up on this match. On collective efforts, they return to a possession. Beal intercepts a poorly assured pass and ends up at the circle. Then on a foul on Sabonis' rebound, KD will transform his shots to equalize. 8 seconds from time, Nurkic also went to the line after another foul on Sabonis' rebound. He misses the first, but transforms the second. +1 Phoenix who hadn't led since the first quarter!
However, Fox's teammates still have 8 seconds to regain the advantage on a final possession. On the throw-in, the ball arrives in the hands of Fox who plays an isolation. He shifts to the left side of the floor. But he is surprised by a two-handed take and the ball slips from his hands. The Kings don't even shoot on the final possession. The Suns win 108-107.
What to remember
A third consecutive defeat for the Kings. Sacramento has won just one of its last six games. And they even suffered a third defeat in a row this evening. This is not to reassure with the “play-in” which is getting closer. Above all, they could remain 9th or 10th on Sunday since they do not have their destiny in their hands. Which would require them to win two games to qualify for the playoffs.
Phoenix's lost balls. Another 18 lost balls this evening for Durant and his team. Each holder has at least distinguished himself by losing the ball, which is often avoidable. With players who know how to handle the ball and with such offensive potential it is regrettable to see them so often waste possessions. They are 6th in the ranking of teams which lose the most balls.
The Suns confident in the last quarter. Once again, KD's teammates made the difference in the last quarter. A little earlier in the week, they had already produced an effective fourth quarter against the Clippers to claim the victory. They did it again this evening, winning 30-22 in the last quarter.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
