Favorites of this meeting, the Kings assumed their status by winning largely against the Suns (127-104) behind a solid exit from their leader De’Aaron Fox. Still deprived of Kevin Durant, but also of Bradley Beal (calf) and Grayson Allen (hamstring), the Suns, who had played the day before in Utah, started too handicapped.
The final gap, however, poorly reflects the extent to which the visitors fought with their weapons at their disposal. Buoyed by the strong start of their locomotive De’Aaron Fox, the locals got off to the best start, scoring more than ten points in the second quarter. But as the break approached, a surprise guest showed up on the Suns side: Josh Okogie.
He took advantage of the numerous absences on the back lines to score more in this match than since the restart. A welcome offensive explosion for the Suns, trailing by only 5 points at the break (61-56), with limited offensive options. Devin Booker not having started on a big basis.
The Kings suffered less from this despite the surprising timidity of Domantas Sabonis (only four shots). Because behind Fox, Kevin Huerter and Keegan Murray responded with great efficiency as well. Fox and Huerter were the big contributors in the third quarter where Sacramento, trailing briefly after the break, regained its lead.
More serene at the start of the fourth (93-83), the locals took advantage of their outside skill and the wear and tear of the visitors to sink them with a 12-0 signed six minutes from the end. The benches could then gradually empty as the Kings headed towards an ultimately peaceful victory.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– The Kings’ best 3-point night. Among the worst teams in the league in the exercise, the Californians had not yet finished a meeting with more than 50% success this season. It is now done with a good 15/28 last night. We will note the quality of the shots obtained, particularly in the fourth quarter which helped to widen the gap, on the basis of good interior fixations. Enough to increase the success percentage which, overall, reached 64% (compared to 37% at the Suns)!
– DeMar DeRozan is not leaving. Present in the first period, the Kings winger did not come out of the locker room after the break. Suffering in his lower back, he had to skip the rest of the meeting. Result: a minimal stats line (2 points to 1/2 in 17 minutes) for the man whose absence could be costly for the Kings already deprived of Malik Monk.
– Turbulence ahead for the Suns? After seven wins in a row, the Suns lost for the second time in three games. Which of course coincides with Kevin Durant’s visit to the infirmary. His absence for at least two weeks could drag down the Suns’ balance sheet. The latter end their series of trips to OKC, then to Minnesota. Before a long, inconvenient series of home games (Magic, Knicks, Lakers, Nets, Warriors and Spurs).
