“He flops. » De'Aaron Fox said over and over again, gesturing as he pointed, what he was thinking about Dillon Brooks, who responded with a little shoulder tap. We are in the second quarter, Jabari Smith Jr. collapses and a foul is called on the Kings playmaker. He certainly grabs the Houston player at the beginning, but then the latter gives the impression of losing his balance.
The referees make their decision and it is then that De'Aaron Fox, surprised by this whistle, warms up with the Canadian then with Jabari Smith Jr, who will take a technical foul (Malik Monk and Dillon Brooks as well). The tone rose and the person concerned appreciated it.
“I think we responded well. Usually no one does this against me and for good reason. I didn't say anything after that.” explains De’Aaron Fox. “The players don’t come to talk to me or provoke me normally. But if they come looking for me, then they find me. »
The Kings will end the first period, a few minutes after this little moment of tension, with an 11-1 lead including 8 points from the All-Star. “When we talk to him, he is even more focused. More teams should do this”laughs Malik Monk.
“We can fight without taking three, four, five or six technical fouls or getting kicked out”
More than the player's response, it is that of the group, which knew how to show its muscles, not to lower its head but also to maintain its calm and not enter into the Rockets' game, that Mike Brown wants to emphasize.
“It heats up and the opponents crash into us. We reacted as we had to, but we did it intelligently”rejoices the Kings coach. “That’s how it should be done. We can fight without taking three, four, five or six technical fouls or getting ejected. »
It's the Rockets who will end up exploding. Ime Udoka and Alperen Sengun will be sent off after insulting referee John Goble at the end of the match. When Tari Eason was not far from going into the stands to “explain” himself to a fan…
A measured and calm reaction, plus a victory: Sacramento perfectly negotiated this prestigious meeting, facing a team in form from the West, and important to bounce back after two losses in a row.
“We’re supposed to be like this. You don't have to be afraid. This is our standard: we must fight. We did it for 48 minutes in this part »Judge Mike Brown. “De'Aaron talked to the group at the end, in the locker room, about our physical impact, playing for each other. It was very good and we must continue like this because that's us. That's what he said. »
