De’Aaron Fox and Sacramento Kings Ruin LA Clippers, 124-103

The LA Clippers experienced one hell of a beating at home against the Sacramento Kings. The guests from the capital of California smashed arguably the No.1 contender for winning the title with 124-103, surprising everyone.

“We were clearly flat in every area. It was tough too, basketball-wise,” said Doc Rivers after the game. “We’ll just chalk this one up, get back in the gym & get back to work… I’m glad it’s behind us”

Led by De’Aaron Fox, who had 34 points and posting a superb three-point shooting percentage, the Kings totally dazzled the Clips.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvz-UEhD7YM

After opening the game well and winning the first period with 33-28, the Clippers experienced one of the worst sequences in the entire campaign. The Kings blew them away with 36-14, limiting Doc Rivers’ team to just 25% of shooting from the field, while on the other side, they had 59%, hitting nine three-pointers in 16 attempts. The home team couldn’t recover after this.

One of the possible reasons for such an outcome was Kawhi Leonard’s pre-game injury. The Claw was supposed to play, but he felt some issues with his back minutes before the tip-off, and the Clippers didn’t want to risk anything.

“His back just locked up. I think he was out shooting before the game, and I think he took a shot and this back locked, ” Rivers explained after the contest. “He was in stretching, trying to do everything he could to get on the floor. He just couldn’t.”

Meanwhile, the Kings are 3-1 since Luke Walton rotated Bogdanovic and Buddy Hield, placing the latter one on the bench and introducing Bogi as the new starter. The issues with the chemistry are obvious for this team and we already wrote about that.

Hield scored 19 points tonight, with 7 boards, while Bogdanovic added 15 with 6 rebounds. Apart from them, Cory Joseph had a good role with 16 points and 7 dimes. Dewayne Dedmon had 11 points and boards each.

Fox dropped 34 with 8 assists and shooting 14-for-24. Guests made 21 threes in 41 shots.

“I think tonight was one of our better defensive performances this year,” he said. “It was mu first time beating the Clippers since I am in the NBA, so it is a great win. As I said before, we want to continue build on it.”

Among the hosts, Lou Williams with 22 and Montrezl Harrell with 21 posted team-highs. Yet there was no help from other teammates. Landry Shamet scored 15, all behind the arc, Pat Beverly 11.

“We put ourselves in a lot of bad rotations,” said Harrell, “and they were feeling comfortable all night.”

Paul George came back, but he was under limited minutes. Nevertheless, we need to say that he played beneath his level, hitting just two of 10 shots, and adding 8 points with 4 rebounds and assists.

The Clippers (33-15) are staying at home, as they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday here at Staples. Rivers’ boys have two more events at home over the next couple of days, the first against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, and after that against the Heat on Wednesday. Afterward, they start a four-game road trip.

Kings (18-30) are playing their next four games at home. Lakers are on the menu for this Saturday, and after purple and gold, come Minnesota, Miami Heat, and at last the Spurs. During this stretch, they need to make a positive record and improve the morale a little bit.