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What we learned as Murray aggressive in Kings’ loss to Warriors initially appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – The Kings had a selected purpose in thoughts getting into Friday’s preseason sport towards the Golden State Warriors – they usually completed it.
No, not a win.
The outcome was a 109-106 Kings loss at Chase Middle, however preseason is about greater than wins and losses. It is about changes, and Sacramento adjusted.
Sacramento’s 3-point protection Wednesday would’ve put the group on the mistaken facet of historical past if it wasn’t a preseason sport. However after a sluggish begin in that division Friday, the Kings cleaned that up early.
On the opposite finish of the ball, although, the Kings’ taking pictures did not look nice. They shot simply 38.7 % from the sphere, a lowly 28.3 % from 3-point vary and 63.6 % from the charity stripe.
In the meantime, the Warriors shot 48.5 % from the sphere and 38.2 % from 3-point vary, additionally taking pictures an environment friendly 86.5 % from the free-throw line.
However the Kings’ beginning 5 regarded sharp, and every participant completed with double digits. Boogie Ellis led Sacramento’s bench gamers with 11 factors on 4-of-7 taking pictures from the sphere and three of 5 from downtown.
Whereas there have been enhancements all through, there nonetheless are areas to work on. The Kings have three extra preseason video games to take action earlier than their 2024-25 season opener on Oct. 24 at Golden 1 Middle.
Listed here are the takeaways from Friday’s loss:
Aggressive Keegan a welcome sight
Mike Brown needs Murray, getting into his third season, to be extra aggressive with the ball. The Kings’ coach additionally needs all his gamers to be extra aggressive on the opposite finish of the ground.
Friday evening, Murray did each.
Inside the first two-and-a-half minutes of the sport, Murray scored on all three ranges. Layup, 3-pointer, then a drive to the basket which resulted in two free throws.
Murray completed with 17 factors on 5-of-11 taking pictures from the sphere and 1 of 5 from 3-point vary, with one rebound and two assists in 26 minutes.
He additionally had 5 of Sacramento’s 13 steals. The Warriors, as a group, had two takeaways.
Murray created photographs for himself and others – unlocking new ranges to his sport from the spot-up 3-pointer shooter he was as a 22-year-old rookie two seasons in the past.
And it’s a welcome sight for the Kings.
Righting their wrongs
The Warriors uncovered an early concern for the Kings on Wednesday evening – and it was an emphasis getting into Friday’s preseason rematch.
Sacramento’s 3-point protection was a evident subject in its preseason opener at Golden 1 Middle, permitting Golden State to knock down 28 3s within the loss, and that prolonged into Friday’s sport.
Quickly.
Warriors ahead Kyle Anderson knocked down consecutive 3s to open the sport, and Brown wasted no time in calling his first timeout. Golden State was 8 of 11 from 3-point vary within the first quarter however then made only one trey (1 of 9) within the second.
The changes Brown emphasised throughout Thursday’s follow took some time to click on for his squad Friday, however higher late than by no means, proper?
The Warriors completed the sport taking pictures 13 of 34 (38.2 %) from past the arc. Take away that first quarter, and the Kings’ 3-point protection took a significant leap.
The Huge Three
Everybody with a pulse in Sacramento is happy concerning the Kings’ new Huge Three.
Via two preseason video games, they confirmed precisely why.
Fox completed with a team-high 19 factors on 6-of-12 taking pictures from the sphere and made 4 of his six 3-point makes an attempt, including seven rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes.
DeRozan added 16 factors on 6-of-14 taking pictures, with three rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block in 26 minutes.
Sabonis, who led the NBA final season in triple-doubles, double-doubles and rebounds, was again to his dominant methods Friday, ending with a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double. He was 5 of 9 from the sphere and added 4 assists.
There have been questions on spacing after the Kings acquired DeRozan this summer time. That has but to be a difficulty for Sacramento and its distinctive offense.
If something, having one other participant of DeRozan’s caliber solely provides the Kings one other deadly offensive choice and/or presents extra alternatives for others.
The tempo, the Sabonis-DeRozan DHO sport, the screens – all look easy so far.
Whereas the taking pictures isn’t to the extent the Kings would really like and are able to, that’s the least of Brown’s worries.
