The Kings offensive improvement this season has surprised many, but this afternoon in Los Angeles their defense was on display as well.
The Kings beat the Clippers 123 to 96. That’s the lowest point total the Kings have allowed this season and the first time they’ve kept an opponent under 100. They only allowed 38 points in the entire first half, building up a 22 point lead going into the break. L.A. shot just 35.5% from the field and 27.3% from three. The Clippers were without quite a few of their main rotation players, particularly stars Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, but it was still very nice to see the Kings take advantage of their opportunity and take care of business on the road.
Domantas Sabonis led the way for the Kings with 24 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds in just 26 minutes. He was the engine that got the Kings going, with 15 of his points and 5 assists coming in the first quarter alone. Whenever there was a lull in Sacramento’s play, the Kings turned to Domas and he delivered. The only people who could stop him were the three referees, as once again his minutes were limited by foul trouble.
The Kings dominated despite a rather average performance from De’Aaron Fox. Fox scored just 14 points but did add 6 rebounds and 4 assists. He’s looked a little bit out of sorts lately, which he himself has attributed to a bug that’s gone around and general soreness. Thankfully, the Kings this year have enough weapons and other guys who can step up that Fox doesn’t need to be trying to go for 30 every night for us to have a chance. Tonight it was Keegan Murray who helped step up, scoring a career-high 23 points on 8-15 shooting to go with 7 rebounds and 2 steals. Murray was hitting his outside shot, moving well off ball and getting to the line as well. It was a nice bounce back game from the rookie, who had been struggling lately.
The Kings cruised through most of the game after building up a comfortable lead in the first half, but towards the end of the third quarter and start of the fourth they got a bit lackadaisical and let go of the reins for a bit. The Clippers put in a young, energetic bench unit who pushed the pace and attacked the Kings while Sacramento settled for outside jumpers. With 10:36 left in the fourth quarter, Brandon Boston Jr. scored to make it just a 16 point lead. Familiar fears fluttered in many Kings fans bellies, but this isn’t the same old Kings team. Mike Brown called timeout, got the starters in, and the team responded with a 17-2 run to put the game away. By the time the game ended, Sacramento fans in Los Angeles were filling the crypto.com Arena with Light the Beam chants.
The Kings are now 12-9 and 5-5 on the road. They’ll return home tomorrow to play the Chicago Bulls and look to make it three in a row.
Random Observations:
- KZ Okpala remained in the rotation tonight despite Trey Lyles being back healthy and I think he’s here to stay. Okpala was one of the only bench players with a positive +/- (+10) and it was because of his defense. The bench unit as a whole featuring KZ, Davion, Metu, Monk and TD did a good job of pestering the Clippers and making life difficult for them. We’re used to the Kings making some defensive improvements to start a season but then falling back into bad habits. So far it seems like the Kings are doing the opposite. That’s good coaching, but also good work by the players for implementing and executing.
- Malik Monk might be my new favorite King. The guy plays with such great energy and provides a great spark off the bench with his scoring and playmaking. He had a missed lob dunk in the 2nd quarter that if it had gone in would have been a top 5 Kings dunk of all time.
- I really like the version of Chimezie Metu that Mike Brown has brought out. Instead of settling for outside shots, Metu has been focusing on defense, ball movement and hustling. He had 8 boards in just 15 minutes, and he also had a couple of nice assists where he found cutters instead of settling for jumpers. Really good work from Chimezie.
- Sabonis might get the least love from the officials of any player I’ve ever seen. It’s amazing how often contact against him doesn’t get called, but the most marginal of contact that he does is. It feels like Mike Brown has used 90% of his challenges this season on bad fouls against Sabonis.
Time to Dance..
Clipper Dance!
“LIGHT THE BEAM”
“LIGHT THE BEAM”
“LIGHT THE BEAM”
.
…”And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to call ticky-tack fouls on my man Domantas. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.”
So, like, I found the ya’ know, L.A. version, of what I mean –
&ct=g
The “Light the Beam” chants were soooooo awesome to hear.
Can we get some fricken team up with San Jose… NorCal connection.
When was the last time the Kings win back to back games by 24 or more?
Tim!
That long-necked cow got food in it’s mouth… Also I think that’s Betty White.
Alright, hopefully the Kings don’t let their guard down for tomorrow….gotta beat teams that are worse than you record-wise.
the BEAT-A-BULLS!
Longtime lurker, longsuffering Kings fan here. This season is an absolute blast. It’s fantastic to see this team make continuous improvement on defense and that offense reminds me of the 99-00 Kings a little.
I was cautiously optimistic over the Sabonis trade but certainly regretted having to give up Haliburton. The haters of that trade have been very quiet lately. Same with those who were pissed about giving up a first round pick for Huerter. This team is firing on all cylinders right now and I love seeing the haters proved wrong. LTFB!
Sick profile name. One of my top three fav bands!
User name checks out. Great fucking band. Welcome!
This history lesson
Doesn’t make any sense
In any less than
16 year increments
Man I love that song!
Nice game. Two clear out the bench blow outs in a row. Up until last year the Kings would typically lose this kind of game. Good team missing some key players so the Kings let other players step up. John Wall has 31, Robert Covington 25 and the Clips win 119-113. The early start was too much for the “young” Kings team. Now they’re three games back from the play in. Except it didn’t happen that way. I am enjoying this season!!
It was an early morning game here in the Philippines at 5:00AM. Woke up at almost 8AM, opened the PC to see the score, with some worries of a letdown at the back of my head. Man, the score popped, can’t believe my eyes at first. What a pleasant surprise.
I woke up here to watch the US/Ned soccer game. Two things that don’t happen often…me getting up at 6:30 am and….watching soccer
PG13 confused
Somebody should make a GIF of Gizmo getting wet and what pops out is the Kings running teams out of the gym. That’s far scarier than the Gremlins. Even the smartass know it all with the 45 who shot his own kind.
LTB !——Kings fans in LA.
Game “won” in the second quarter with D. Quibble- the second half was virtually even because Kings just playing it out. Defensive record would improve if they stayed focused.
Look ahead: Bulls. Don’t let down
KZ and Davion played some serious D. I do think that Keon Ellis is a better defender than either of them. Different- sort of a bit of both.
Keegan did better- hope this helps. Looks like coaches said – shoot it all the time in garbage time.
Keegan also had 7 rebounds and 2 steals. Not bad for a rookie
“What are they saying?”
“I think…’write the meme’?”
It’s verse
It’s a violation of privacy laws.
I love the fact the verse exists in context
But I will do what I can to disenfranchise the analysis….
That inspired the text.
“What are they saying?”
“I think…’fight the dream’?”
“Bite Kareem”
Really enjoying this Kings team but one of the biggest bummers for me this season has been the commentary. It would be more fulfilling if we had Grant and Jerry still, or even Grant and someone else. He was real good letting us know what was going on/being said by the players, refs and coaches and he actually called the games. Any combo of our current commentators is unfortunately far from good. Calling games for sure is an art form that goes beyond personal anecdotes and cheesy idioms. You gotta also relay the emotions, vibe and any drama going on on the court AND call out where players are on the floor and what they’re doing. I felt like I was sitting courtside with Grant and Jerry. I feel like I’m sitting next to someone’s real cringy parents with the current group.
Anywho, here’s to that purple beam casting a nasty glare through windows at the Kimpton Sawyer for that team from Chicago!
Agree.
I do think that Kayte is very capable and has great knowledge of the game. Her ability and talents are eliminated by having to work with the clowns they have put next to her.
Kayte is knowledgeable but simply talks too much and goes on forever . However , she is the best of this crew .
I think she talks too much because she has to fill the void of shit left by her counterparts. Hopefully they put someone with her that can contribute so she can be her best.
Any one here for the return of Grant Napear? I wouldn’t mind. I bet he’d do it. He’s got all that free time now that he’s divorced.
Not surprised that he’s divorced!
8 months after he got canned too. Must not have been all that fun having him around the house all the time.
Grant is done. Forever.
It was cool with Grant and Jerry cause that’s who I grew up listening to. It was a chill broadcast with them.
You rang?!
Where’s the down vote button when you need it?
Marc Jones is actually alright, it’s Kayte and Draper who I have a big problem with, especially Kayte, big emphasis on KAYTE.
Kayte does love her voice and ability to go on and on while the game is being played .
She is commentating for you not for her. She brings knowledge to the game that you would never understand.
See, what fans don’t seem to understand is…..
Why she continues to say this horribly condescending pointless phrase when pertaining to extremely simple concepts that fans for the most part already understand.
I wish she weren’t a horrible analyst* but she is and oh well. It is what it is.
* = in game broadcast analyst
In your opinion she is horrible at covering the game…but she gets paid very well.
Your shit talking is shit and you get paid shit.
Until this year she knew more than the coaching staff.
Sorry but I personally like Kayte. She brings knowledge to the game . Many commentators around the league are not even close to want she knows. GO KAYTE! GO KINGS!
She is the brains.
Question cuz I just don’t know: Do they light the beam for way games. If not, why not, it’s not like we’ve won so many games that fans are going to get bored with it? It’s a thing!!!
They do light it for away games. I forgot which game it was but I saw it in person when they won an away game during the Thanksgiving break.
My question is: did they light it in the daytime for this early game? Or are they waiting till dark?
They didn’t win during the Thanksgiving break, otherwise I would have seen the beam
Yes, they did.
Memphis, November 22nd
which was 2 days before Thanksgiving
That was a lit game… I remember because of the horrible biased officiating… Oh wait that’s only the Warriors games.
Wow it’s getting to the point that this might be real and here to stay. This is the type of offense that made me like the Warriors for awhile cause it was so fun to watch and the cast of characters we have is super…lovable? We deserve it for real man! Hopefully the defense can be average or better, I like them putting some defensive guys on the floor at time like KZ. Brown knows how to use his guys, the beam is real, and it’s glorious!
Not sure if I’m sold on purple and gray…way more black was better…but other than that not much to complain about rn.
Hey Siri is Harrison Barnes two years older than Kawhi Leonard?
Kawhi’s joints are older than mine and I was born when Kennedy was President.
Harrison Barnes is 30 years old and plays for the Beam Team
I like the defense and the way they let the bench play.
If this defense means Fox scoring less than fifteen then I will take that.
Welcome to strategic basketball based on your opponent. WTF? Mike Brown coach of the year yet?
Welcome to middle school basketball. Finally.
Middle school basketball lets your best player ride the bench for large stretches? I swear the stuff that gets printed under your non-avatar seems the same as your avatar.
So Fox riding the bench today was a horrible idea?
They needed Fox to put up thirty today?
Not sure what you are trying to say?
A point guard with a complete game that is expected to do more than score. Works the same in the NBA as it does in the basic middle school game.
Fox is finally figuring out that dribbling the ball into oblivion and launching bad shots really doesn’t do much for the win count.
Why are so friendly today?
Kings win get to you?
If Fox is scoring 24 to 30 a game he isn’t putting up bad shots.He shots 38% from 3 over 52% period. 82% from the free throw line, and driving to the rim doesn’t get called enough. And by the way he is one of the best innovated guards to ever penetrate the paint. If those are bad shots then I’ll take them every time.
This year Fox yes. Previous career Fox in spurts only. My opinion….
Never was trying to bash Fox. Actually complimenting him for having a better all around game and playing his role on the team. Selfish Fox scoring 30 sucks ass. Fox leading and playing team basketball scoring 10 and sitting when needed is going to lead to wins.
This team has all the tools to keep lighting the laser. So refreshing that during defense showed up today.
Keegan! It was nice seeing him do more than just jack up 3s. He was moving, cutting, screening, all that good stuff. More please!!!
…Murray!
Yeah, he had a good game. Good to see him starting to click again. His off ball cuts were really good.
Agreed. He also had a couple of contested rebounds that I thought were impressive, and I really think he is going to be a plus team defender. I can’t wait to see what he is producing in the second half of the season.
Boxed out on rebounds very well too.
Keegan has more DWS than OWS and it’s not even close right now. I think the kid’ll be alright.
Played good defense and rebounded well.
A quarter of the season is in the books.
If the playoffs started today the Kings would be the 5th seed and play the Griz.
Seems surreal.
Confirming that The Beam was visible in Medellin, Columbia in the late afternoon glow of an eclectic bar near the above ground rail terminal.
Kings were sharing the spotlight with the World Cup on the two semi large screen tv’s in this place. Fish tacos and fruit to die for along with the grande Rum and Cokes. Con Sukar.
You’re on tour!
good opportunity to work on your Spanish.
The defense looked really good tonight*, especially the help on the weak side. Kings did really well showing bodies in the paint and under the rim, leading to Clipper ball handlers hesitating and having to make decisions under a bit of stress. Something I can’t remember any Kings team doing in the last…let’s be kind…decade or so. Fantastic job.
Hope they can show up in a similar fashion against the Bulls tonight, since only Huerter played over thirty minutes (30:04).
*against a severely handicapped offense
Obviously, it’s too early to call the Bulls game a ‘must win’. But I’d feel a lot better banking as many wins as possible ahead of this road trip.
I understand, but also can realistically see us a 17-13 after 30 and that is fun
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