Sacramento Kings End Their Losing Streak, Beat Memphis Grizzlies, 128-123

The Sacramento Kings have finally posted a win. Their victims tonight were the Memphis Grizzlies, and Luke Walton’s guys won 128-123. This triumph would snap Kings’ eight-game losing streak, which started all the way back on December 18 against the Charlotte Hornets.

“I think tonight is a really good example to be able to show the team what we are preaching about. One of the things we talked pre-game is consistency. We need to play more of a 48 minute (game) but we scrapped out a win,” said Luke Walton after the match.

Hosts opened this one very badly, allowing the guests from Tennessee to have a 19-point lead already in the first period. With 1:32 to go, they were up 40-21, and it appeared that this one might be another frustrating night for the Kings’ fans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE-ETaJvNZQ

Yet, they woke up and scored 37 points in the second sequence allowing just 18, and head for the locker room with a small edge, 63-60. After a tight battle in the third, the Grizzlies entered the fourth with a seven-point advantage, but that didn’t demoralize the hosts who responded, started playing better, and had more nerves in the closing moments.

De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield led the way for the hosts and these two combined for 53 points. Fox had 27 and 9 assists, shooting 9-for-18 from the field, He would add five steals. Meanwhile, Hield hit five threes, totaling 26 buckets, also grabbing 7 rebounds.

Richaun Holmes didn’t post a double-double as he usually does, but the Kings’ big fella had 18 points, with 7 boards, shooting 7-for-10 from the floor. Harrison Barnes had 17.

A big problem for the franchise from California is going to be Bogdan Bogdanovic‘s health status. Bogi limped off the field towards the locker room in the fourth, leaving the game with 16 points.

“Hopefully he’s fine. I think everyone who’s with us all the time in the Sacramento area knows how important he is for us. As far as an update, I don’t have one, but hopefully it’s not too bad,” Walton told the reporters.

Bogi shared what happened before he left the game.

“I just shot the ball and I felt some pinching in the back of my ankle. I’ve been playing through it all the time but today was a harder pain.”

On the other side, the Grizzlies’ starting five all saw double-digit productivity. Ja Morant had a team-high with 23 points and 7 assists, Jae Crowder scored 19, while Jonas Valanciunas had a double-double with 18 points and 12 boards. Jaren Jackson Jr had the same number of points, and DeAnthony Melton came off the bench to contribute with 16 buckets.

The Grizzlies(13-22) have two more matches on the road. The first is against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, and after that in Arizona against the Suns.

De'Aaron Fox (27 PTS, 9 AST, 5 STL) sparks the @SacramentoKings 20-point comeback victory against Memphis. #SacramentoProud pic.twitter.com/afeIvMafse

— NBA (@NBA) January 3, 2020

Sacramento (13-22) plays five of their next six games at home, and if they don’t catch the rhythm here, the playoffs will remain a mystery to this franchise after all these years. The next opponents are the New Orleans Pelicans, and after that, Walton’s guys host the Golden State Warriors.

It is vital for them to post several wins and to get out of this situation. The chemistry of the team is not that good, and we apparently see the battle for the power over the locker room in which Buddy Hield wants to impose himself as the No.1 player. Also, it is noticeable that the Kings’ downfall started the moment when De’Aaron Fox and Marvin Bagley came back on the court following their respective injuries.

All in all, an interesting few weeks are ahead of the Kings and their fans.