Don't look now but the Sacramento Kings are streaking. The Kings won their fifth straight game, and tonight's 132-115 victory over the Spurs is easily the most impressive of the bunch. Seven Kings finished with double digit points, led by De'Aaron Fox's 23 points. Richaun Holmes (23 points and 12 rebounds) and Tyrese Haliburton (15 points, 10 assists) both had double-doubles, and Buddy Hield had a very efficient 20 points as well.
The Kings had a very good night from long range, making 18 of 36 three pointers to just 10 of 27 for San Antonio. The Kings also got to the line more, making 20 free throws to San Antonio's 11. The Spurs hung in there in part thanks to a 22 to 6 advantage in 2nd chance points, but Sacramento was too efficient in the end.
Sacramento's trade deadline is also looking better and better as Delon Wright, Terence Davis and Moe Harkless all played significant minutes off the bench and each had their moments. Wright scored just 2 points in 22 minutes, looking tentative and deferential at times, but still added 5 assists, 4 rebounds and a steal. Terence Davis led the bench in scoring with 14 points, shooting 3 of 5 beyond the arc. Harkless chipped in 13 points in just 14 minutes and also made three triples.
The Kings also weathered several runs by the savvy Spurs. At one point in the third quarter, Sacramento held a 19 point lead, only to see it dwindle all the way to just 6 points in a matter of minutes as DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay started getting it going. San Antonio eventually got the game down to just one possession after Drew Eubanks made a layup to cut the lead to 104-101 with 9:24 remaining.
Then something that has been rare to see in Sacramento for the last decade happened. The Kings started playing defense.
Terence Davis, Tyrese Haliburton, De'Aaron Fox, Moe Harkless, Richaun Holmes and even Buddy Hield at times disrupted several San Antonio possessions, forcing turnovers that led to fast breaks and getting stops when it mattered. The Kings pushed the lead back to double digits and didn't look back.
Kings are running on the break 👑 pic.twitter.com/FOaSTeuXeo
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 30, 2021
This was an important game for Sacramento to keep their dream of the playoffs alive, and they didn't back down from the challenge. Sacramento is playing really good basketball right now, but they have to keep their eye on the prize. They get these same Spurs again next on Wednesday, and if we know Pop, he'll be making some adjustments.
Random Obervations
- Tyrese Haliburton is an absolute wunderkind. Some of the passes he made tonight were unreal. He's got really good chemistry with Richaun Holmes as well, as the two of them killed the Spurs down the stretch with simple pick and roll action. It feels really good to finally hit on a potential second star in the draft.
- Speaking of stars, De'Aaron Fox is one. While tonight wasn't up to the unreal standards he had been setting, Fox still came through in the clutch, slamming the door shut on San Antonio and locking the deadbolt and latch for good measure.
- Buddy Hield's stats aren't eye-popping in this game, but this was one of the best games of his career because he was contributing on both ends of the court. He had some possessions guarding DeMar DeRozan where DeMar hit some tough shots, but he kept with it and wasn't giving up easy looks. He also had a couple nice takes to the rim as well. Buddy seems to do a lot better with Tyrese and De'Aaron both in the starting lineup taking all the playmaking opportunities so he can focus on doing what he's best at: scoring.
- Speaking of another guy that should probably focus on what he's best at, Terence Davis had a good game overall, especially since he hit his outside shots, but please don't ever dribble for more than five seconds ever again. In the first half he had multiple possessions where he was a complete black hole on offense. Part of that is probably his lack of chemistry with the team so hopefully that goes away as he gets more comfortable with his role.
- Who knew Moe Harkless could still play? I totally disregarded Harkless' addition to the team, but in limited minutes he can hopefully provide some nice depth as a 3 & D player. Harkless strikes me as the type of guy that past Kings teams in the "Can he play SF?" era would have acquired to start and play big minutes. Thankfully this team doesn't need that.
- These games have been fun. More of this please.
Ahahaha
Kings beat the Spurs! Time to dance!
Sactown Road….to the playoffs!
What does the Fox say?
Remember Scott Wallace from STR, the guy that always posted the k-pop girls dance gifs? Went to high school with the guy. I’ll do my best to find him and bring him back to the fold of TKH where his Korean spirit belongs.
I know that I’m a boomer-Clint Eastwood yelling at a cloud on this one, but count me in as someone that gets a little creeped out with how much American dudes like watching Korean teenagers dance in Catholic schoolgirl outfits. I struggle to believe that it’s all about the music.
truth lol
Great team win!
7 guys scored in double figures, the bench played great.
Thanks Spurs for not picking Hali!
It’s nice to have a bench now.
I love Pop, but I’m glad he kept his mask on.
He’s rocking that Doc Brown look.
That was fun.. thoroughly enjoyed the game!
Can’t understand how this comment gets downvoted.
I guess some people don’t want 2 win.
There are certain people that dislike me and they will downvote everything I say.. if it makes them feel good then they should downvote away!
I think it’s the anonymous downvoter that is hitting practically every comment. I don’t think it’s personal.
𤣠𤣠𤣠…for real
I like what I’m seeing from Chimezie Metu. It’s only limited minutes across a dozen or so games, but he really seems to maximize his time. Definitely want to see him in the regular rotation.
And, if Terrence Davis keeps playing like he did tonight, he could be a good piece for us going forward.
Would love to see a 2nd unit of:
PG: Wright
SG: Davis
SF: Jeffries
PF: Woodard
C: Metu
I love what Metu brings but I see him as more of a 4.
Agreed up to the Woodard II getting minutes. The only way he cracks the rotation is if someone is injured. And. HOPEFULLY, that doesn’t happen.
I’m still skeptical about Jeffries. He hasn’t impacted the game enough or maybe hasn’t had the opportunity to crack the rotation. Jeffries has to get better.
Can’t really fuck up the rotation now. We’re red hot. The bench has to get in they fit in. We’re trying to make the playoffs. I’m not trying to see a closing lineup (unless a blow out) that doesn’t consist of 4QF, The Rookie, The Shooter, The Vet, and The Stopper.
KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINGS!!!!!!
I’m digging this Terrance Davis guy.
After all of these streaks the past couple of years, both positive and negative, I can’t help but be indifferent. Our Kings have shown time and time again that they are consistently inconsistent. If they’re going for the playoffs, this is a relief to see. But in all reality, Wednesday could be the start of an 8 or 9 game skid. On a related note, how soon does Bagley return to ruin what the rest of the team has built?
…
If Bagley returns this season, it better be as a spark off the bench’ when we need some rebounds and scoring. If we continue to get wins and get to the play in spot, let’s not ruin that chemistry.
I see Bagley returning with the Wizards next season.
Not me. I’m all aboard the hype train. Go Kings. The roller coaster ride is what makes fanning fun for me. Playoffs or bust!
5 game winning streak?
Bench production?
Capatilizing on mistakes?
Tenacity on defense?
Now let’s keep this up. Consistency is what we need. Make this the new normal.
Imagine that! Buddy plays better when he doesnt have to dribble the ball.. This game was really fun!
In fairness to you because that seems to be a mantra of uninformed fans following a writer who doesn’t have a clue. Someone else has mentioned this already, but Buddy being asked to be more of a playmaker or asked to do something outside his basketball acumen is really bogus analysis and simply false to put it kindly.
Wrong. Walton absolutely made it clear that he tried to make him more of a playmaker compared to joeger.
Just because a wanna be gm said it doesn’t make it true.
I do my own analysis, I’ve played and earned that right You can’t blame a drop off in Hield’s offensive performance on Walton. It’s not because someone else said it, it’s just not accurate. Buddy is not totally absent of ball handling skills and when he’s a threat to take players off the dribble his perimeter game becomes more effective. My coach at UC Davis worked hard to make me more of a playmaker which made me a better overall offensive player. Being one dimensional makes that one dimension less effective. To say Hield must be strictly a spot of shooter is just not understanding the game. Buddy is a streaky shooter and streaky shooters sometimes have slumps, to blame that on any coach is really poor and lazy analysis. I think your seeing Hield’s performance level set to a longer term level.
I don’t disagree totally and don’t think Buddy is absent of any ball handling skills, but is it just coincidence that he is starting to play better when there are suddenly two main ball handlers in the starting lineup with him? Short 8 game sample and it’s possible, but…
Both arguments can have some merits to them and the truth is probably in the middle.
Come on
You have to “earn the right to do your own anaylsis”? Being able to think freely and independently is in inalienable right, it is not something granted to you from an external source.
Amen.
Whoa. whoa, whoa, back off a bit, kings4ever!
Don’t you read? He played. I think you owe someone an apology.
Kayte and Wanna Be GM should hang out together. They definitely are more qualified than everyone else. Hey, wait a minute- I played for Harry Dewey Fundamental 40 years ago! I think that may trump everyone and my opinion should be King! Bwahaha!!!!
That should be She played. You obviously haven’t read anything so that should let everyone know the qualifications of your responses. I suspect several others are like you. Thanks for exposing yourself and proving my point.
It’s not saying that he must strictly be a spot up shooter but simply that he is more effective in that role.
Klay thompson’s role should be the buddy role, they don’t ask klay to be a playmaker because that’s not how he shines.
Look, I’m upvoting you because they are wearing your head out.
Respectfully,
9sac8 ð
Start your own site. You’re clearly better than all of this.
Geez if I did that there would be one less woman and one less knowledgeable poster on this site both in short supply.
Um, maybe just watch some games and see what the rest of us are talking about with Buddy?
Kayte actually talked about Buddy the other night- shoots 45% or close to it on catch and shoot but 11% ( I am sure she said 11%) when he dribbles one time and shoots.
Buddy has learned to dribble better and all shooters have to have some handles. Buddy has unique value as catch and shoot. On defense, at least he moves. Unfortunetly for Bagley, too often he does not move much
Could Harkless be the 2021 Bazemore?
Man, it’s really going to come down to if the kings can unload Bagley this off season.
If so they can easily re-sign holmes without the mle and try to use that on additional quality wing depth
If the Kings have to use cap room to resign Holmes, they have to renounce all exceptions to get under the cap. That includes the MLE (Mid Level exception).
If they have free cap room to sign their own guys they can’t use the mle? That doesn’t sound right.
Perhaps it’s time you learned more about the CBA then. Here’s a great resource.
http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm
That’s ridiculous and penalizes teams for good cap management…The NFL is so much better at their salary management.
A hard cap would do so much good for the NBA, perhaps keep the exception to go over for draft picks to reward good drafting teams.
Actually, no it doesn’t. It penalizes you for poor decisions and bad luck…..which is really the issue here with Richaun Holmes. Not the CBA itself. Unless of course you think an inanimate object governing the finances of a 5 billion per annum business is the root of all evil.
You do you, I guess.
so I read that as if we want to create room by moving Bagley, we are essentially limited to buying him out sometime this year to avoid his $14MM cap hold for next year. Correct?
BuT MoNtE BlEw ThE DeAdLiNe?!?!
I was one of those people. I’ll gladly eat crow but for now SSS asterisk.
Same.
It’s too early to claim one way or the other, but if you’re wrong I’m mercilessly mocking you Spackler.
There’s no doubt it’s too early to call, but good lord man….people were losing their minds. You have to give talent to get it. I’m a stay in my own lane sort of guy. I wouldn’t want Monte building my house and I’m sure as shit he wouldn’t want me building his team. But regardless this was a FUN game to watch. If we get more of these, then even better.
I respect you for saying this… no harm done!
need to come up with a term for the rebuild. Im still workshopping this, but I like value flex, and the value buyers club.
I like the ‘value buyers club’, myself.
Solid win. Love the D in the 4th. Buddy hitting 3s. And the newcomers hitting shots also.
I sure have been enjoying watching Metu find his game.
All four players off the bench tonight are so much more athletic than the Bjelica-CoJo-Whiteside trio, it is just amazing how it changes the dynamic.
Going to be a really interesting sprint to finish the season.
Is it just me or is Pop starting to look like Gandalf?
He looks like Doc Brown from “Back To The Future” to me.
Kangz win, and after a nine month furlough from my job I started back working again today!
Fuck yeah
Woo!
Greatest movie ever in the history of cinema
Nice! Glad to hear it!
Congrats Klam!
That’s great news. Congrats.
Alright!!!
Kongrats Klam! One more data point of normalcy. Love the good news.
Who was the dick who downvoted this?
Congrats dude
Good on ya, Klam!
Congrats Klam!
Me too. Been out of work since April of last year, and just got a great new job in tech infrastructure. ’21 started off slow (read: crappy) but is finally starting to come into its own as what could be a decent year.
Good for you. Good luck in your new job.
It’s being reported Bagley is officially away from the team. Players appear happier than in years. Coincidence?
I just want to see Holmes on the team next year.
I’ll take Holmes and happy. But yes.
THIS IS GOOD (ALL CAPS FOR EMPHASIS)
The value buys made an impact tonight.
I would have preferred they go a different direction at the trade deadline but I don’t think there’s any question the moves Monte made will probably make the team better. Even more so if Harkless isn’t washed. If he can be Blazers Harkless from a couple years ago he’ll help.
Wright/Davis/Harkless look like bench versions of Hailburton/Buddy/Barnes kinda. Metu is looking like a nice pickup too.
Yeah there’s no question McNair seems to be looking for very specific types of players. Long wings who can make and/or hit open shots. Not exactly ground breaking but compared to Vlade’s obsession with bigs it’s a breath of fresh air.
new bench nickname: The Value-ables?
Monte’s McValue Buckets?
Nice!
Btw, Jman, on PoundingTheRock, the Spurs writer had a rhyme as part of the preview writeup:
In Sacramento, a hooper can be a King, and to the Inland Empire wins they will bring. But even with all the of shots that they sling, they will be in trouble when they face the mighty Dieng.
I appreciate their effort, but it’s nothing like your fun/funny limericks. What the heck does the Inland Empire have to do with Sacramento, or the Kings, anyway?
Nice attempt from Ponding the Rock,
But now they will have to take stock.
Try again and again,
And some day we’ll see when
Their rhymes won’t be something to mock!
(Thanks for the compliment, Kosta. I thoroughly enjoy your sense of humor as wellmuch more than whoever gave you a thumbs down.)
I’m pretty much Rainman when it comes to maps, and this is just outrageous.
Ya, that’s a head shaker. This dude is seriously geographically challenged.
I saw that as well… Inland Empire? What a huge fail.
Yeah, we’re all slaves to SoCal Ellis. Dontcha know?
I tweeted earlier “The New Editions.”