In college, I had to take an introductory computer programming class in order to graduate. Over the course of the ten-week quarter, I learned nothing. The night before the final, I decided to take the L, go to sleep, and prepare myself to retake the class the following quarter. I ended up getting a 48% on the final, but everyone else failed too, so the curve gave me a B in the class. It felt like I had just escaped death, won a raffle, and hit a jackpot all at the same time. I got to enjoy my Spring Break with an unexpected air of relief and contentment.
That's what the past five days have felt like. This season has already accustomed me to expect the Kings to lose every night. So for them to actually win on Friday, right before a nice weekend and long break was like surprise Spring Break all over again. This is the first time in a long time that I've been able to enjoy five straight days of not absolutely loathing the Sacramento Kings. And just like my surprise Spring Break, it felt even better because I never expected it to happen.
The Backdrop
The Sacramento Kings entered this game 6-10 and seeded at the 13th spot in the Western Conference.
The Orlando Magic entered this game 8-10 and seeded at the 9th spot in the Eastern Conference.
Like the Kings, the Magic are on a one-game winning streak, splitting victories with the Charlotte Hornets from a Sunday & Monday back-to-back. Unlike the Kings, the Magic are performing well enough to enjoy playoff contention position, a middle ground they've been floating around in for the past few seasons. In the bubble, the Magic managed to squeak their way into the playoffs and even stole the first game against the Milwaukee Bucks, but ultimately lost the next four to get kicked out of Disney World. And that storyline has kind of summed up the Magic for the past decade - they're always in the playoff conversation as a team always in a position to enter postseason play, but usually only to get knocked out in the first round.
The Magic are led by Montenegrin veteran Nikola Vucevic and power forward Aaron Gordon, who should have been the dunk champion in 2016. Vucevic is a stretch center, averaging six 3-point attempts per game and Gordon is explosive on the boards, so the Kings will have to be both physical and agile to contain these two. With the unfortunate ACL injury of Markelle Fultz, who was finally starting to play up to his first-pick expectations, the Magic are relying on rookie point guard Cole Anthony to be their floor general. Jonathan Isaac is also still out with an ACL injury that he suffered in the last matchup between the Magic and Kings in the bubble.
It's funny how everything in life is relative. I'm sure Magic fans feel just as disgruntled as Kings fans, wondering when their team will make the next step forward and become an Eastern Conference powerhouse, instead of the first round playoff practice squad for the East's leading teams. Meanwhile, Kings fans are DYING for the day we can have just two playoff games in Sacramento again, even if it means a quick sweep. It's been 15 looooong years...
Quick Stats
Because numbers make things make sense.
Outcome: Kings win, 121-107
Sacramento Kings: 121 PTS, 48.9% FG, 42.4% 3 PT, 30 AST, 15 TO
Orlando Magic: 107 PTS, 41.7% FG, 38.5% 3 PT, 25 AST, 14 TO
Buddy Hield (SAC): 29 PTS, 7-12 3 PT, 3 STL
Richaun Holmes (SAC): 20 PTS, 12 REB, 8-11 FG
Nikola Vucevic (ORL): 26 PTS, 9 REB, 2-2 3 PT
Can we get five-day breaks all the time?! The Kings came out with a lot of energy and maintained their lead through the entire game. They met the physicality of the Magic and matched their offensive rebound totals at 17 apiece. The Kings also held the Magic to 107 points for the night, which is 14 points below their disgusting average. So there are a lot of things to be happy about on this rainy Wednesday. Although there were some scary moments, the Kings held it together and gave us a happy hump day.
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Because all three are consistent parts of Kings basketball.
The Good:
Good Screens: I have complained before about how soft and virtually useless Kings' screens are. As simple as the concept seems, execution of a good screen takes timing, discipline, and knowledge of angles. Usually, the Kings will fail in at least two of these areas, whether it's the guard taking off before the screen is set, the screener moving his feet and picking up a foul, or the screener stopping at an angle that allows the defender to slide right past him. But tonight I saw some actual, legitimate screens set by the Kings and they (surprise, surprise) led to some easy baskets. My favorite was in the 1st quarter when Richaun Holmes set a strong screen on Cole Anthony for De'Aaron Fox. Nikola Vucevic had to switch onto Fox and Holmes quickly gained position inside on Anthony. Fox showed good patience, pulled Vucevic out to the top of the key, and lobbed an easy one up for Holmes to drop in. Screens become so much more effective when they are set correctly.
Defense, AGAIN?!: The Sacramento Kings have now played tolerable defense for TWO games in a row. The consistent effort could be explained by their unexpected five days off, and we'll know more about the validity of that theory by the end of the week, but tonight, let's just celebrate. Led by Harrison Barnes' activity, constant help, and closeouts, the Kings held the Magic to 23 points in the 1st Quarter and 27 points in the 2nd Quarter. This gave the Kings a 15-point lead at halftime. Given the uncertainty of what team will emerge from the Kings' locker room at the half, any lead they can build for themselves in the first half is imperative for getting a win.
Crashing the Offensive Glass: With the activity of Richaun Holmes and Marvin Bagley III, the Kings grabbed 17 offensive rebounds tonight. Especially in the 2nd quarter, Holmes & Bagley got to EAT in the paint by tapping, grabbing, and digging out offensive boards for easy put backs. It was great to see Marvin getting production inside on the offensive glass rather than floating on the perimeter waiting for a kick out 3-point look.
The Bad:
4th Quarter Scaries: The Kings entered the 4th Quarter with an optimistic 19-point lead. Immediately, they came out sleepy on both ends of the floor, settling for bad shots and being lazy on defense. The Magic quickly cut the lead to 13 points and I got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Luckily, Harrison Barnes came alive to ignite the spark once again to push the Kings back to a comfortable 17-point lead. But, once again, we know that a Kings game isn't over until the final buzzer sounds. With just under three minutes to go, the Magic got back within 11 points and I felt another wave of nauseousness. The Kings got some defensive stops and were able to hold on, close out the last three minutes, and win another basketball game. But of course, they couldn't do it without causing a few episodes of cardiac arrest.
The Ugly:
Rebounding: While the Kings did a good job of crashing their offensive glass, they also let the Magic equally shatter their defensive one. Especially in the first half, the Magic were able to stay in the game with their second chance scoring. The Kings give up an average of 10 offensive boards per game, and allowed the Magic to grab 11 of them just in the first half. The Magic turned these into 12 extra points and ultimately kept themselves within striking distance despite shooting poorly all night. What made some of these boards especially ugly was watching the Kings actually TRY to box out and still getting outworked. One particular lowlight was Cory Joseph locating Khem Birch after a shot went up but failing to turn around in time to locate the ball. Once he did, Birch bullied his way over him and grabbed the rebound for an easy put back.
Royal Court Jester
Because someone is always actin' a fool.
I'm starting to think I might have some negative bias when watching this guy, given that his stat line has been consistently improving and I still find things to complain about. For whatever reason, his mistakes are especially glaring to me and frustrate me to the point where I am blinded to his positive contributions. Marvin Bagley III, I want to root for you, but tonight you are again the Royal Court Jester for an airball reverse layup and your inability to hold onto the ball.
In the 1st Quarter, Marvin caught a quick pass as he cut underneath the basket, from the right side to the left side. Normally, in this position, a player would attempt a reverse layup with their right hand on the left side of the basket so they can use their left shoulder and back side of their body to shield themselves from any trailing defenders. However, since Marvin is left-handed, he threw up a weird, contorted attempt with his left hand and completely missed all parts of the basket. It was awkward, embarrassing, and frustrating. For your folly, Marvin, you must recite 10 Hail Haliburtons and perform 300 reps of the Mikan drill to absolve yourself.
Secondly, Marvin gets to wear the cap tonight for getting stripped so easily every time he puts the ball on the ground to attack the basket. What kind of strips do I love? Chicken strips. What kind of strips do I hate? Bagley strips. Whether it's from a help side guard or the big who swipes the ball away from him on his ascent, I find myself yelling at my TV screen, "PUT YOUR DAMN ELBOWS UP AND HOLD ON TO THE BALL!!!"
The King of Kings
Because at least one person does at least one good thing, usually.
I'm always happy when this guy gets the King of Kings crown. Buddy Hield has become someone who can be easily criticized and difficult to appreciate. But tonight he played in the way that we all know he can. As the team's leading scorer with 29 points on seven made 3-pointers and only one turnover, Buddy showed us his best side tonight. It's much easier to live with some of the silly Buddy blunders here and there when he hits his shots and takes care of the ball.
Up Next
Friday, January 29th @ Toronto Raptors @ 4:30 P.M. (PT)
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