The Sacramento Kings played one of their most complete games of the season in a 106-98 win over the Denver Nuggets. Sacramento outscored Denver in each of the first three quarters and then matched them over the final 12 minutes.
The Kings controlled the game for almost the entire outing and delivered on both the offensive and defensive ends. Seven Kings were in double figures, and they converted on 45 percent of their shots. The Nuggets were baffled by the Kings’ defense and coughed up the ball 25 times.
De’Aaron Fox had a strong performance in his second game back from a partially torn quad. He had team highs with 18 points and seven assists in 35 minutes. He also went 6/8 from the free throw line, which he’s done in both of his games back from injury. Getting to the free throw line consistently is going to be a key to Fox’s offensive success.
Willie Cauley-Stein provided 17 points on 8/12 shooting. He also added a career high seven steals and soared for huge poster dunk in the first quarter.
Outside of the turnovers, the Nuggets had a solid game offensively with four players scoring at least 17 points. Trey Lyles led the way with 19 points and nine rebounds off the bench, and Nikola Jokic had eight points, seven rebounds, and ten assists.
https://twitter.com/SacramentoKings/status/949845643312287744
The Kings played very well coming off four days of rest, and it’ll be interesting to see if they can continue this level of play on less rest. Both Zach Randolph and George Hill had the day off, and Coach Joerger went with an all youth starting lineup.
Buddy Hield scored 14 points, and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 11 points and five assists off the bench. Sacramento moves to 13-25 and face off against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.
