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What we learned as Kings’ turnovers spark blowout loss to Trail Blazers initially appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SACRAMENTO – The Kings have had their share of ups and downs this preseason, and Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Portland Path Blazers at Golden 1 Middle undoubtedly ranks within the latter class.
Though there have been a couple of indicators of issues getting into the best course, there wasn’t a lot constant cohesiveness on both finish of the ground and the tip end result was a 105-85 loss that dropped the Kings to 0-3 within the preseason with lower than two weeks earlier than the common season will get going.
De’Aaron Fox paced the Kings with 11 factors, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals however he had 5 fouls within the first half and completed minus-19. Keon Ellis additionally scored 11, Keegan Murray had 10 factors, Domantas Sabonis added 9 factors, eight rebounds and 7 assists whereas DeMar DeRozan had eight factors, 4 assists sand was a minus-33.
Alex Len added 13 factors whereas Jordan McLaughlin scored 10.
Scores within the preseason don’t matter that a lot within the massive image so there isn’t an excessive amount of of a purpose to get overly anxious or pessimistic. However head coach Mike Brown needs to be involved in regards to the issues his staff had in opposition to a Path Blazers staff lacking two of its finest gamers and can virtually definitely be one of many backside feeders within the Western Convention.
Portland was notably efficient getting inside and scoring virtually at will within the paint. Even after they failed to attain down low, the Blazers repeatedly grabbed the offensive board and acquired a fast put-back rating.
Sabonis and Monk had a very good rhythm going early, and Murray gave the Golden 1 crowd some power late within the second quarter when he dunked off a lob cross from Sabonis, then made a steal on the Blazers’ ensuing possession and drove down the lane for a one-handed jam.
Sacramento couldn’t maintain the momentum very lengthy and gave up 35 factors to Portland within the second quarter when the Blazers went on a 9-0 run then closed out the primary half with three consecutive driving scores by Scoot Henderson.
Issues didn’t get significantly better within the second half
The Kings trailed by as a lot as 24 and have been held to 24 factors under their preseason scoring common.
Now it’s out to the street for Sacramento’s closing two preseason video games earlier than the common season begins at house on Oct. 24 in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Listed here are the takeaways from Sunday’s recreation:
Monk Again In The Combine
Malik Monk didn’t play in Friday’s 109-106 loss to the Golden State Warriors due to private causes however he was again in uniform Sunday doing what he does finest – making performs on each ends and offering a excessive stage of power.
Monk had eight factors on 3-of-10 capturing to go along with two rebounds and two steals. Monk was aggressive virtually each time he touched the ball and was fast to assault the rim. That type made him a high contender for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award final season and is one that can preserve him proper in the course of issues for the Kings within the 2024-25 marketing campaign.
Ball Safety
The Kings have a whole lot of explosiveness on offense nevertheless it doesn’t matter a lot after they wrestle to care for the ball, which was the case for lots of Sunday. Sacramento dedicated 27 turnovers (14 within the first half) that led to 33 factors for the Blazers.
The issues got here from nearly in every single place. Sabonis turned the ball over 5 occasions whereas Fox and Monk had 4 turnovers apiece.
Unfold The Wealth
Considered one of Brown’s fundamental tenets is ball motion, and the Kings did a fairly good job of that in opposition to the Blazers.
Sacramento had 25 assists on 35 made photographs, a improbable charge that prevented Portland from zeroing its protection in on one participant. 4 Sacramento gamers had three assists or extra.
