Highlight of the Night:
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ORLANDO – Sacramento continued their five-game road trip with their third stop coming in Orlando Thursday night against the Magic. In what looked to be a competitive matchup, Orlando exploited Sacramento’s weaknesses by handing the Kings their fourth loss of the season, 102-94.
After dropping the first three road games of this trip, coach Dave Joerger can’t wait to get back to the Golden1 Center. With minimal time to put together sets and strategies, Joerger and the Kings have had to work on their development on the road.
“I have a pretty good idea,” said Joerger when asked about player personal on the floor. “I still want to give guys opportunities and give them a chance to be successful.”
It was obvious in Thursday’s loss that the Kings are lacking that third scorer. But who will be that third scorer?
Rudy Gay scores 16 points and DeMarcus Cousins logs 33 points, seven rebounds and four assists on the night as they continue to carry the load for the Kings.
When Gay and Cousins are on the floor the offense seems to be in rhythm and the Kings remain competitive. For example:
Sacramento won the first quarter tonight 29-23 behind a combined 24 points from Gay and Cousins. As soon as one went to the bench, the tables turned and the scoring began to be doormat and stagnant for Sacramento.
Although there were three scorers in double figures behind Gay and Cousins their baskets do not come in volume or when both Gay and Cousins on the bench.
What do the Kings need?
Darren Collison will be back from serving his eight game suspension next Tuesday at home against the New Orleans Pelicans. Collison brings the scorers mentality and threat that is needed moving forward.
Expected to contribute greatly on offense this season, Ben McLemore, Aaron Afflalo and Matt Barnes have not been the answer early for the Kings. Not being able to put up consistent numbers in the first six games has dealt the Kings the record that they have been issued.
Afflalo scored 16 points in Tuesday’s loss against the Heat and scored just only three points in tonight’s game. McLemore had 11 points on 5-of-7 from the field but in Miami went 1-of-7, only scoring three points.
This inconsistency transpires all across the board. From scoring to defense, the Kings need to address the issue to not finish winless on the road trip.
Takeaways from the game
The transition defense has continued to be a problem over the last couple of games, as the Heat and Magic showcased their fluid transition style.
Willie Cauley-Stein had logged 50 minutes on the season with only three rebounds prior to Thursday’s game. Tonight against the Magic, Cauley-Stein played 25 minutes, and grabbed one rebound.
Evan Fournier was the high point man for the Magic scoring 29 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Sacramento did not have an answer for the slasher. Fournier scored efficiently in the paint as well as beyond the arc.
Omri Casspi made his road trip debut in Thursday’s loss against the Magic scoring 12 points in 23 minutes.
Gay was hit in his chest on a drive to the basket that caused him pain for the majority of the second half. Gay played the rest of the second half with a neoprene back wrap.
Sacramento returns to action Saturday night in Milwaukee where they will face the versatile Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks. Tip off is at 5:00 PM PST.
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