Another comeback attempt by the Sacramento Kings fell just short as they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday 113-108.
The game was very evenly matched throughout most of the first quarter with both teams staying within a couple points of each other. The Kings used an 11-3 run inside the last minute to take a 29-25 lead into the 2nd quarter. The second unit was led by Buddy Hield and Skal Labissiere, who combined for 10 points off the bench.
Sacramento continued shooting well into the next quarter, ending with 48% before halftime including 54.5% from downtown. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope provided the spark for the Lakers by putting up 13 first half points. However, it didn’t stop the Kings from leading 58-50 at the break.
Caldwell-Pope picked up where he left off by adding 17 more points as Los Angeles outscored the Kings 37-25 in the 3rd quarter. Former King Isaiah Thomas also made his presence felt during the 2nd half by adding 17 points from the bench. Willie Cauley-Stein played the best of the Kings starters with 18 points on 6 of 14 shooting. A foul by Caldwell-Pope on a Bogdan Bogdanovic three led to a four point play, keeping the Kings in contention with 11.7 seconds left. After Thomas made both free throws, Bogdanovic attemped to make a quick basket, but it wouldn’t fall. After two more free throws, The Lakers won 113-108.
Caldwell-Pope led all scorers with 34 points while Bogdanovic and Hield tied with 21 for the Kings. Sacramento’s next game is on Monday against the Timberwolves.
