The Kings have yet to officially qualify for the playoffs. But it is hard to see how this return to the final stages could not happen. Last night, the Californians, who remained on two straight defeats, took a step further in this direction by winning against the Suns, after a hotly contested game (135-127).
This victory was again a triumphant attack, mainly fueled by starting Sacramento, who all finished at 13 points or more. The Suns were unable to stop this beautiful machine, which scored 79 points in the second period. Despite the efforts of the Devin Booker – Terrence Ross tandem, the Arizona players continue to sink with this third straight loss.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– +19 in the third quarter. The Suns thought they had done the hardest part by returning to the locker room with a comfortable lead (56-67), after a good second quarter offered in particular by Jock Landale, who took advantage of good balloons from Chris Paul. But the Kings reacted spectacularly in the third period, with a raging Kevin Huerter in transition and behind the 3-point line. Fox on the sidelines, Domantas Sabonis and Davion Mitchell turned the machine for the Kings who turned the game in their favor with a 45-26 posted in the period. Again in the lead at the start of the last quarter (101-93), the locals managed to maintain this cushion until the end, the Suns being unable to chain defensive stops in the decisive moments, especially against to Harrison Barnes in the final moments.
– De’Aaron Fox on the flank. The leader of the Kings had to leave his teammates in the third quarter, when there were more than 7 minutes to play. Hampered at the level of the hamstrings, he did not return to play. But the Kings did not really suffer from the absence of “Fourth Quarter Fox”.
– Suns lose home field advantage. On paper at least. Because this defeat allows the Clippers, who were not playing that night, to now have a victory ahead of the Suns and therefore steal 4th place in the West from them. Relegated this morning to 5th place, the Suns are under direct threat from the Warriors. They are all the more in danger as it is the least fit team in the Top 10 of its conference. Monty Williams’ men have indeed lost six of their last seven outings…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Kevin Hurter. Back with a bang for the Kings shooter who had missed the last three games due to knee discomfort. The fullback didn’t just catch fire in the third quarter, with four award-winning baskets, he was also invested in rebounding and creating.
✅ Domantas Sabonis. New All-Star level performance for the pivot who narrowly missed his 13th triple-double of the season. Notably, he did not attempt a single shot in the fourth quarter. He was generally discreet in the second half in the “scoring” after a big half-time period.
✅ Cleanliness of the Kings. Generating 29 assists is nothing exceptional. But to do so while only losing four small balloons in the whole game is to be underlined.
✅ The Suns bench. He outclassed that of the Kings on the accounting level. Terrence Ross was impressive throughout the evening. He was very well supported in his effort by TJ Warren, still at half distance, and the surprise Jock Landale who equaled his best outing of the year.
⛔ The balance of the five of the Suns. If Devin Booker and Chris Paul have held their rank statistically, the same cannot be said of the other three members of Monty Williams’ five, certainly more focused on defense. But Josh Okogie confirmed his worst shot at the moment, Torrey Craig did not find the target from afar while Bismack Biyombo, replacing Deandre Ayton, showed his limits.
THE FOLLOWING
Kings (44-29) : Jazz reception next night.
Suns (38-35) : reception of the Sixers next night.
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