They had missed the boat at home against Wolves, but this time it’s the right one! Winners of the Blazers, the Kings return to the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
It’s quite simply the longest wait in American sports history! Almost guaranteed to finish on the podium in the Western Conference, and therefore to have the advantage of the field in the playoffs, Sacramento made short work of the Blazers with a victory of 40 points: 120-80.
After a balanced first half, but above all mediocre, the Kings made the break after returning from the locker room thanks to the 3-point address of Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray (62-51). Opposite, Shaedon Sharpe resisted for a long time, before cracking, and it was the Fox-Monk duo that made the difference at the end of the 3rd quarter (83-64).
Straddling the 3rd and 4th quarters, the Kings sign a 16-0 to go to +30 (94-64). Mike Brown can recall Fox and let his replacements finish the job against the Blazers officially on leave.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
An NBA record for Murray. Author of 13 points, Keegan Murray planted his 188th 3-pointer of the season last night, and it is one more than Donovan Mitchell’s record for a rookie.
Decimated Blazers. Already deprived of four starters, the Blazers also lost Keon Johnson, who broke a finger in morning practice. They only played 7…
The Kings travel well. Sacramento won its 22nd road game of the season tonight, and Brown’s players have the 3rd best road record in the NBA. However, they had started the season with four losses in a row on the road.
TOPS & FLOPS
✅Kevin Hurter. It was he who woke up his teammates at the end of the first half after 20 very mediocre minutes, and it was he again who struck after returning from the locker room.
✅ Malik Monk. We can always count on him to bring a spark. Faced with tired Blazers, he enjoyed himself.
✅ Shaedon Sharpe. He behaves like a leader at only 19 years old. For the 4th time in eight days, it exceeds the 20 point mark, and it even reaches 30 points for the first time.
⛔The first half. Between contracted Kings and weakened Blazers, the first half turned into a contest of awkwardness of all kinds.
THE FOLLOWING
Sacramento (46-30) and Portland (32-44): second round Friday in the same room.
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