Kings 128, Trail Blazers 107: Kings Snap Losing Streak with Statement Win Over Blazers

The Sacramento Kings snapped a four game losing streak Thursday in a dominant win over the Portland Trail Blazers. The 128-107 victory came at a good time, with the season on the brink and the team on the edge of falling out of play-in contention. Sacramento put together one the most complete performances of the season, led by Zach LaVine’s 29 points on 72% from the field (13-18).

The game began with a twist when Malik Monk was announced as the starter, but Keon Ellis ended up getting the nod. (More on that later). In the first quarter, the Kings came out physically engaged and aggressive on both ends of the floor. Keegan Murray set the tone with 9 early points. Things typically go well with Murray when he is attacking the rim (something he should do more of). LaVine started to catch fire in the second quarter hitting 20 by halftime. At the break, the Kings had built up 68-50 lead with excellent transition play (18 fast break points), controlling the points in the paint (36-18) and capitalizing on Portland’s miscues (12 points off 7 turnovers). The team shot 63% from the field and the ball was moving – DeMar DeRozan had 5 assists at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Kings doubled down and pushed the lead to 100-82 with Domantas Sabonis scoring 11 and Monk scoring 7 in the quarter. DeRozan kept the ball moving and Sacramento’s pace overwhelmed the Blazers. The Kings simply did not let Portland gain much of any momentum. Any small glimpses of life would be responded to with a LaVine finish at the basket (more attack mode was good from Zach), a Sabonis put back or a three-pointer.

Defensively, the Kings looked like a different team than much of what we have seen this season, scoring 19 points off turnovers. Ellis tallied 6 steals alone, to go along with 1 block and 10 points. The Kings finished the game a ridiculous 64% from the field, much of it coming in the paint. Sacramento had a whopping 60 points in the paint, compared to Portland’s 32. Not relying on the three was a good sign as they leaned on physicality to keep the Blazers off balance (Portland finished 39% from the field).

LaVine finished with 29 points, Sabonis has 22 points and 19 rebounds. DeRozan tallied a 21 points and 10 assists. That is 2 out of the last 3 games where he has had 10 assists, an interesting development. As the starter, Ellis finished with a solid stat line, including those 6 steals. Murray finished with 17 and Monk scored 16 points in an efficient 17 minutes off the bench (6-9 from the field and 2-3 from three). The team had six players finish in double-digit scoring. It was a really good team win.

The Kings are now 36-37 and in 9th place, a half-game ahead of the 10th place Dallas Mavericks.

Ellis and Monk

As mentioned, Monk was listed as the started moments before the game began and Ellis ended up being the starter. It left many confused. However, most fans have preferred this scenario for a while because of the roster dynamic. And this game played out in a way the validates Ellis starting and Monk dominating second units off the bench. Ellis impacts the game positively in a lot of areas other than scoring, letting the other starters get their offense going. Monk can provide the spark off the bench to keep the pressure on.

After the game, Doug Christie had this to say about it and it being a long-term situation:

“The decision was already made. We’ve got 41 games here and sometimes at the scorer’s table you can get a little mix up. … Trying to work Malik back in and make sure that he’s comfortable and he’s feeling good. Like I told you guys in the presser in the beginning, Malik is OK with whatever, he is the consummate professional and these guys understand winning over everything. So it’s something that we will look at as we go but for somebody who has been out as long as he has with a sickness and to be 6 for 9, 2 for 3, I’m going to get on him about the turnovers always that’s just what I do and he’s going to tell me some words that I can’t use here, and I’m going to love him for it, but he was fantastic,” Christie said. “He played a really solid game, and you can see how much that we missed Malik and what he brings to the ball club.”

So, a bit of a non-answer there, but Christie did leave the door open for it to be the rotation ongoing, but not at the same time. Him bringing up Monk’s turnovers in the same comment was interesting. Monk had 3 turnovers in his 17 minutes.

Monk said after the game it has been difficult to get back into a groove after the sickness he had, and that he knew he wasn’t starting.

Up Next

The Kings take on the Magic in Orlando Saturday at 2 p.m. There are nine total games left in the season.