Sacramento Kings Report – Kings vs. Pelicans Recap

Slippin’, Trippin’ and Rippin’ Kings Fans Hearts Out – Kings vs Pelicans

This game was back and forth, with moments of high level play and moments of sloppiness, bottom of the NBA basketball.

Bogdan Bogdanovich tweaked his ankle late in the Kings previous game, and is sitting out this game with the flu. Not flu like symptoms, don’t worry.

This is a game Sacramento needed to win. They are at home, and versus one of the few teams who have less wins than they do.

Would the Kings keep up their 2020 winning ways? Or add to the list of ways to rip out a fan’s heart? Kings vs Pelicans was an exciting game, read ahead and see how it unfolds! 😀

1st Half Recap – Kings vs. Pelicans

The first half was back and forth, marked by a lack of consistency. It seems like the only constant with the Kings this season is lack of consistency.

The Kings fell down early in the 1st quarter 22-8, sparked by a 13-0 Pelicans run. The Kings offense was off to a slow start, they were not moving the ball well and couldn’t buy a bucket.

But then in Sacramento fashion they went on a run of their own to claw back into the game.

The Kings went on a 14-1 run and took their first lead of the game 26-25 with 1:08 left in the 1st quarter.

Sacramento recorded their 1st assist of the game at 3:40 left in the 1st quarter. FAR too late in the game for that…

The Kings continued this scoring run into the second quarter. Sacramento went on a 20-3 run and built up to a 9 point lead at one point, their largest of the game.

Fox had a nice catch and shoot 3 point make where he looked CONFIDENT! Not something Kings fans are used to seeing from the dynamic driver Mr. Fox, but a welcome sight indeed!

The Pelicans took the lead into half time 52-48.

2nd Half Action – Kings vs. Pelicans

The Kings came out and played well offensively to start the 3rd quarter. The Kings outscored the Pelicans in the 3rd quarter 32-24.

Early in the 4th quarter the Pelicans went on a 10-0 run that put them up by double digits.

With 4 minutes left in the 4th New Orleans had built up a 106-92 lead, and the game looked all but over for the Kings.

The Kings did make a valiant come back, fighting until the end, making threes and getting lucky.

Down by 4 points with under 30 seconds left, Bjelica hoisted up a 3 point shot between multiple defenders, foul called AND the bank in make! Bjelica ties it up with just over 5 seconds left!

All the Kings need to do is defend one more possession and get this game into overtime.

The Pelicans had one more chance, inbound to J.J. Reddick, his defender Ariza falls down, falls down again, the help defender is a little late to get over…. Reddick makes a layup to go up 117-115 with just over 1 second left….

The Kings inbound the ball to Fox and he can’t even get a shot off before the buzzer…. and the Kings lose in another heart wrenching fashion.

THIS IS SACRAMENTO KINGS BASKETBALL!

UGH!

Notable Player Stats and Thoughts

Harrison Barnes led the way for the Kings on the offensive and defensive ends. Barnes scored 30 points, on 9-12 shooting and 10-12 from the free throw line.

Buddy Hield had an interesting game. He scored 24 points on 7-20 shooting, 4-7 from 3 point range and 4-7 from the free throw line. He chipped in 12 rebounds, had some nice surges on defense with multiple dives on the floor for loose balls that helped to create extra Kings possessions. Hield did commit 7 turnovers though, usually stemming from him trying to do too much.

In my observations of Buddy Hield, he plays much better when he lets the game come to him, and doesn’t force his hand. Buddy can shoot the lights out, but does not do well when he tries to go 1 on 1 and ‘create his own shot’.

The Kings and Hield are more successful when he is running around off the ball, running off screens, spacing the floor, tiring out his defender and creating catch and shoot opportunities. The Kings and Hield are not successful when Buddy dribbles around for 15 seconds aimlessly, usually settling for a contested, off balance shot.

Fox had one of his worst games of the year, scoring 17 points on 5-14 shooting and an ABYSMAL 5-11 from the free throw line.

Fox did look good in his 3 point opportunities, going 2-3 from deep and showing signs of no hesitation and improved confidence when he is left open from 3 point range.

When Fox isn’t performing on offense it puts coach Walton in a strange position rotation wise. Does he keep Fox in the game and hope his offensive struggles right themselves, or put in the defensive minded Cory Joseph and let the offense come from elsewhere?

Team Stats

Sacramento shot well from 3 point range, going 12-21 for 57.1%.

Sacramento did well to create free throw opportunities, but did not capitalize like they needed to win, going 27-36, 75%.

The Kings won the rebound category 59-54 but lost the assist battle 28-20.

The Kings turned the ball over 21 times, leading to 21 points off turnovers for New Orleans. Though, the Kings did score 29 points off of 15 Pelicans turnovers.

Game stats from ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nba/matchup?gameId=401161175

Final Thoughts on Kings vs Pelicans

The Kings had their chances, but probably deserved the loss with how they played overall. The Kings need some consistency, and it needs to come from someone other than Richaun Holmes.

Kings vs Pelicans didn’t turn out quite how the Sacramento faithful had hoped for. After another last second thriller the Kings get another chance to bounce back against west bottom dweller Golden State Warriors on Monday.

I predict a Kings WIN!

As I sign off on another week of disappointing Kings basketball … I leave you with my new favorite saying as a Kings fan:

It always has been and always will be … GO KINGS!

-SpikeballTom

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