Sacramento had four days off in between this game and the last one, and it certainly seems like the team needed that rest.
The Kings played their most complete game of the season, taking an early lead and essentially remaining in control throughout in a 121-107 win over the Magic to start their road trip off on the right foot. Sacramento was up by double digits for the final 26 minutes, and the team earned its second road win of the season.
Buddy Hield was on fire, scoring a season-high 29 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including seven made threes on 12 attempts. Every time the Kings needed a bucket, Hield was there to bail out the possession. On multiple instances in the fourth quarter, with the Magic chipping away at Sacramento’s lead, Hield drained another triple to keep the Kings comfortably ahead. Nobody loves a transition three quite like Hield.
"Splash down Buddy Lovvvvvvveeeeee." – @thedougchristie pic.twitter.com/I3EZqda3wT
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) January 28, 2021
Harrison Barnes was also feeling it. There was some worry that his hot start to the season was a mirage after he started to slump, but his last two games have put that those fears to rest. Barnes hit two jumpers to get the scoring started and maintained the pressure on Orlando throughout. Barnes was the team’s second-leading scorer after Hield with 21 points on an efficient 8-of-11 from the field.
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) January 28, 2021
De’Aaron Fox had his way with the Magic guards, speeding his way to the hoop no matter the defender. He wasn’t particularly active as a scorer, but those paint attacks turned into several open jumpers. Fox was especially rude to the Dwayne Bacon in the second quarter, and he finished two rebounds shy of a triple-double.
Swipa sneaking his way to the bucket pic.twitter.com/KDth9kgM1q
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) January 28, 2021
Another star for the Kings was Marvin Bagley III. Luke Walton had mentioned pregame that a point of emphasis would be the Magic’s second-chance points. Orlando came into the game leading the league in offensive rebounds, and the Kings didn’t do much to limit them on that end. What they did do was match them by also grabbing 17 offensive boards, and Bagley had eight of those rebounds. Sacramento bested the Magic in second-chance points and points in the paint. Combined with the Kings’ advantage from 3-point range, and it was a successful outing for the team.
Kudos to the Kings for using the time off well, and hopefully this level of play continues for the rest of the road trip.
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