In the third straight game going to the final second, the Kings did not need to rely on a basket to get a win. Instead, they needed to play defense to prevent overtime and that’s exactly what they did. The Kings held a double-digit lead for the majority of the game like the previous two games, but squandered it in the final quarter. They failed to win the last two times but came out on top and are now 31-28 on the season after beating the Thunder 119-116.

Quarter-by-Quarter Recap

That was a solid first quarter by the Kings against a team coming off a double overtime win. The Kings kept pushing the pace but so did the Thunder led by Russell Westbrook. Oklahoma City had more fast break points than Sacramento at eight to Sacramento’s five. Sacramento started 3-7 from three, much better than their abysmal shooting against Golden State. Buddy Hield came out firing, finishing the quarter with 14 points on 6-10 shooting overall and 2-3 from deep. Bogdan Bogdanovic was 3-3 from the field with seven points but only played six minutes. Westbrook led his team with nine points and Paul George scored seven. Kings led 31-24 after one.

Sacramento outscored the Thunder 32-25 and took a 63-49 lead going into the half. They took multiple 15-point leads and went over 15 a few times too. Oklahoma City made some shots and forced some turnovers to lower the lead but the Kings were able to keep it above ten. Hield continued to produce with 18 points on 8-12 shooting for 18 points. Marvin Bagley off the bench was impressive as well, ending the half with 11 points on 5-9 shooting, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal. Bogdanovic had 12 points, De’Aaron Fox had six dimes and Willie Cauley-Stein grabbed eight rebounds. Sacramento shot 1-5 from three in the quarter. Westbrook was the only player on OKC to have double-digit points with 18 on 7-14 shooting and seven rebounds. George stayed at seven points going 0-5 in the quarter.

Oklahoma City started the third quarter on a huge surge with a 15-4 run and almost taking the lead again. However, the Kings weathered the thunder (no pun intended) and extended their lead to 90-74. Then the Thunder made another run to close the quarter but a Marvin Bagley jumper at the buzzer gave the Kings a 94-83 lead after three. Hield continued to be on fire reaching 32 points on 12-21 shooting. Bagley had 13 points and seven rebounds. Westbrook continued to carry the Thunder with 26 points on 10-21 shooting along with 10 rebounds.

What an intense fourth quarter this was! Oklahoma City outscored the Kings 33-25 in the fourth but it wasn’t enough as the Cardiac Kings weathered the thunder twice despite losing the lead. Fox hit two free throws to give the Kings an 118-116 lead, then Cauley-Stein drew a questionable charge on Westbrook to give the Kings the ball back. Harrison Barnes made 1-2 free throws and then George failed to hit the three over Willie to tie the game at the buzzer.

Best Players

I predicted that Buddy Hield will go over 30 points after the loss to Golden State and I was right. Hield went off for 34 on 12-22 shooting and 3-5 from deep along with five rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block.

Marvin Bagley III produced another double-double going for 19 points on 8-18 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds. He also added three assists, two steals and three blocks.

De’Aaron Fox was getting fouled constantly this game and should’ve had more free throw attempts but he finished with 19 points on 7-16 shooting, nine assists, one steal and three blocks.

Willie Money Watch

Willie Cauley-Stein finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal today. He out-rebounded Steven Adams and drew that charge late in the game.

Notable Stats

Sacramento was 7-19 from three and the Thunder shot 14-46 from three.

Oklahoma City easily won the rebound battle 59-46 but the Kings had more assists at 24-17.

Oklahoma City also had more fast break points at 25-19.

Sacramento only turned the ball over nine times.

Next Game

The Kings travel to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves on Monday at 5:00 PM PST. The Timberwolves will be coming off a 140-128 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.