After another lethargic start, this time playing inside the world’s most famous arena, the Sacramento Kings needed a spark. Down 11 points to the New York Knicks going into the second quarter, they found that spark in the form of Jimmer Fredette.
“He changed the game tonight,” Kings head coach Michael Malone said to media in New York of Fredette following the Kings’ 106-101 victory over the Knicks. “It was about to be a 25-point game and his ability to come in that first half and get us back into it was huge. The first six minutes of the quarter, we outscored them 17-4. So, great defense and Jimmer carried the load offensively. We don’t win this game without Jimmer.”
The Kings third-year guard exploded off the bench to score 15 points in the second period. He would finish the game with a career-high 24, helping the Kings win and avoid a disastrous 0-4 road trip before the All-Star Break.
“I just tried to come in and help us get a spark,” Fredette told reporters in New York after yesterday’s overtime victory. “After that first quarter, I just wanted to come in, play hard and aggressive. My shots were falling so I continued to be aggressive…kept trying to sustain it and help us get this much needed win.”
Fredette also finished with career highs in field-goals made (9) and 3-pointers made (6) in the victory.
“He was being aggressive and he was back at home,” teammate Rudy Gay said of Fredette’s performance. “He didn’t pass up any shots. He went out there and he was aggressive for us and we can’t ask too much more from him.”
Didn’t get to see Fredette light up MSG last night? You can do so now by watching the highlight video below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8jchsvJMMU&w=560&h=315]Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
