This has been the perfect example for my most passionate argument for a shorter work week. When you get breaks - real breaks, not just two days of furiously catching up on all the things the work week kept you from - you are just BETTER. You perform better, you are more productive, you are more energized, you are happier, and most importantly, you make those around you happier. I'm not radical and advocating for a two-day work week, but HEY, if the Sacramento Kings show exponential improvement in success and production from getting some time to recharge, just IMAGINE what the rest of the world could do with some real rest.
The Backdrop
The Sacramento Kings entered this game 7-10 and seeded at the 13th spot in the Western Conference.
The Toronto Raptors entered this game 7-11 and seeded at the 12th spot in the Eastern Conference.
The last time these two met was just three weeks ago when the Raptors entered Golden 1 Center having only won one game and strolled out with mad swagger after defeating the Kings by 21 points. It's what I remember as the "letdown game," as the Kings had one of their best offensive performances of the season and still managed to lose by over 20 points.
I just finished reading Nick Nurse's book, Rapture, this week. In it, he describes the foundation of his offensive strategy - shoot 3-pointers (because they're worth more, duh) and layups (because they're easy, duh) and avoid the tough 2-point shots (i.e. mid-range pull ups, turnaround fadeaways, foul line runners, etc.). Reading his strategy felt like watching a playback of the letdown game. The Raptors essentially shot the Kings out of the gym, no matter how hard they tried to keep up, shooting 20-39 from the 3-point line. With the right talent, it's brilliant and has been the backbone of much of the Raptors' success. Contrary to his name, Nick Nurse is in fact NOT here to save lives, but to blow up arenas with 3-point bomb showers.
Suddenly OG Anunoby's game winner in Game 3 against the Celtics garners more respect and less spectacle. Don't get me wrong, it was still spectacular, but OG likely put the work in to earn that make by practicing that shot countless times in Nick Nurse's system. With this public knowledge of Nurse's strategy, I hope to see the Kings focus on running the Raptors off the 3-point line and forcing them into those tough 2-point attempts that they hate.
Quick Stats
Because numbers make things make sense.
Outcome: Kings win, 126-124
Sacramento Kings: 126 PTS, 55.1% FG, 44.4% 3 PT, 31 AST, 22 TO
Toronto Raptors: 124 PTS, 48.8% FG, 40.6% 3 PT, 20 AST, 15 TO
Harrison Barnes (SAC): 26 PTS, 7 REB, 6-6 FT
Hassan Whiteside (SAC): 16 PTS, 9 REB, 6-7 FG
Pascal Siakam (TOR): 32 PTS, 4 REB
Fred VanVleet (TOR): 26 PTS, 6 AST
The Cardiac Kings are alive and well and my heart health is quickly declining. Against Nick Nurse and his Raptors, the Kings' lead never felt comfortable, but I foolishly hoped they would be able to keep it within the 7+-point lead range for an exciting win. But exciting isn't enough for the Cardiac Kings. The Cardiac Kings must be exciting AND tantalizing. But no complaints here because this is the Sacramento Kings' third win a row!!!
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
Because all three are consistent parts of Kings basketball.
The Good:
1st Quarter: Much of the first twelve minutes felt like a competitive battle between two seasoned teams. The Kings managed to mirror the discipline of the Raptors and traded baskets with them for much of the quarter until the Kings pulled away in the last two minutes. The Kings ended the quarter up by 12 points and held the Raptors to just 24 points. This early lead gave them momentum into the rest of the game and also gave them room for the inevitable mistakes to come through the stretch of the game.
Whiteside Rightside: Hassan Whiteside has been averaging just 13 minutes per game so far this season. He is a tough fit - he has real value, leading the league with 2.4 blocks per game, but struggles to keep up with the fast pace of the game. Hassan had his best night so far this season. In 19 minutes, he logged 16 points, 9 rebounds, and went 6-7 from the field. On a slow night for Marvin Bagley III, Hassan stepped up big for the Kings tonight.
Defending the 3: Living off of a strict diet of 3-pointers and layups, the Toronto Raptors are averaging 43 3-point attempts per game. The Kings held the Raptors to 32 long-range attempts and just 13 makes, which attributed to their steady league through most of the game. Although the Raptors adjusted to their cold night and found a way to compete, the Kings' ability to thwart them off of their usual strategy was just enough to get them the W.
The Bad:
4th Quarter Fox: When we needed him most, De'Aaron Fox let his emotions get the best of him. He spent most of the final quarter fueled by his own frustrations. We saw this in his stubborn attacks into traffic, which led to turnovers, and his constant complaining to the refs, which eventually led to a technical foul. Fox was visibly out of sorts and he failed to be the calm and confident leader the Kings need to close out a game against a championship team.
The Ugly:
4th Quarter: The Kings entered the 4th quarter up by 13 points and the Raptors brought their lead down to just five points with five minutes remaining. Without the confident leadership of De'Aaron Fox, the Kings were quickly exposed as the Raptors demonstrated their championship composure. The Raptors set the pace right out the gate and caused the Kings to make careless mistakes. Some stupid fouls mixed with missed free throws, the Kings showed that they're still not ready to properly close out a game against a competitive team.
Royal Court Jester
Because someone is always actin' a fool.
Despite another good shooting night, tonight's Royal Court Jester goes to Buddy Hield. We all know by now how much I hate when Buddy dribbles. Well, he gave a perfect example of why tonight. In the 3rd quarter, Buddy had the ball on the left wing. Hassan Whiteside, having a great game already and ready to eat some more, quickly gained position and posted up on the block with both hands in the air, signaling for Buddy to give it to him. Instead, Buddy decided to attempt to go one on one against the gritty Fred VanVleet. Buddy dribbled towards the baseline, got stuffed by Fred, and had the ball ripped right out of his hands. Hassan remained on the block with his hands in the air and an expression that could only translate as, "dude, what the fuck?"
The King of Kings
Because at least one person does at least one good thing, usually.
I almost wanted to give this to Hassan Whiteside for his unusual stat line, but I couldn't help myself. Tonight's King of Kings goes to none other than our ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, Tyrese Haliburton. My favorite thing about this guy is that he always finds a way to make you love him. Although he had a cold shooting night, going 1-7 from the 3-point line, Tyrese found other ways to contribute throughout the entire game. He had a season-high 11 assists and did all his usual dirty work of getting offensive rebounds and causing turnovers.
My three favorite things he did tonight: (1) his BIG time 3-pointer in the 4th quarter with 45 seconds left to give the Kings a 4-point lead, (2) his sweet, sweet hesi and slam in the 3rd quarter, and (3) stepping in and saving Yuta Watanabe's life from Hassan Whiteside after a hard foul.
Up Next
Saturday, January 30th @ Miami Heat @ 5:00 P.M. (PT)
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