Road Reaction: Memphis Grizzlies 85, Sacramento Kings 69

The Sacramento Kings never showed up tonight in Memphis, losing by 14 to the Grizzlies, 85-69.  After winning their previous two games at home, the Kings dropped to 3-15 on the road and 15-25 overall.

Notes and Analysis

• This game was absolutely painful to watch.  The Kings looked like they had zero interest in playing basketball this evening and the Grizzles played down to the level of their competition.  I hope the fans in the arena got free tacos or maybe a mixtape after this one.  Ugly.

• DeMarcus Cousins was the only King who showed up to play in this one.  The Kings starting center finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.  Cousins was the only Kings player to score in double-figures.

• There has to be building concern within the Kings front office for what has happened to Jason Thompson.  The Kings most consistent player this season scored a total of three points on 1-for-6 shooting in 21 minutes of action.  He also finished with just four rebounds as the Kings were once again out-rebounded by an opponent on the road.

• The Kings shot just 34 percent from the field and 20 percent (2-for-10) from 3-point range.  It looked like they were playing with a regulation NBA ball on a NERF-sized hoop.  Keith Smart used all 13 players in an attempt to find the hot hand.  Travis Outlaw scored eight points off the bench on 3-for-6 shooting.

• Fans were clamoring for Jimmer Fredette to get in the game the whole first half to no avail.  When he finally sniffed action in the third and fourth quarters, he played about as well as the rest of his teammates.  Jimmer went 0-for-4 from the field in 12 minutes of action and turned the ball over three times.

• All five Memphis starters scored in double figures, led by Mike Conley‘s 19 and Marc Gasol‘s 18-point-10-rebound performance.

• Stat of the Night: The Kings finished with just nine assists in the game.  They also shot 34 percent because there was no ball movement in this game.

Three questions to ponder

1.  Can the Kings’ dictate the pace?

The Kings couldn’t dictate their way out of a paper bag tonight in Memphis.  The Grizzlies weren’t all that much better, but when your opponent finishes the first half with 30 points, things like pace mean very little.

2.  Will we see more Chuck Hayes and less Thomas Robinson?

Neither Hayes nor Robinson played a substantial role in this game tonight.  The duo combined for seven points and seven rebounds in 21 total minutes.

3.  Can the Kings limit the Grizzlies’ success from beyond the arc?

The Grizzlies did most of their work in the post tonight, finishing just 3-for-7 from behind the arc.  There’s no reason to shoot from the perimeter when your opponent gives such little resistance in the post.