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In the third consecutive game, the Kings did not need a basket to win the victory. Instead, they had to defend to avoid overtime and that's exactly what they did. The Kings had a double – digit lead for the majority of the game, just like the previous two, but they squandered it in the last quarter. They have not managed to win the last two times but have emerged victorious and are now 31-28 on the season after defeating the 119-116 Thunder.
Quarterly summary
The Kings had a solid first quarter against a team that won a double overtime victory. The Kings continued to progress, but the Thunder, led by Russell Westbrook, did so as well. Oklahoma City had more break points than Sacramento at eight to five. Sacramento started 3-7 on three, far better than his catastrophic shot against Golden State. Buddy Hield opened fire, finishing the quarter with 14 points on 6-10 shots on goal and 2-3 from the depth. Bogdan Bogdanovic was 3-3 in the peloton with seven points but played only six minutes. Westbrook led his team with nine points and Paul George scored seven. Kings led 31-24 after one.
Sacramento dominated the 32-25 Thunder and took a 63-49 lead before the half. They have taken 15 points in advance and have gone over 15 times more than once. Oklahoma City made some shots and forced turnovers to reduce the lead, but the Kings managed to keep it above ten. Hield continued to produce with 18 points on 8-12 shots for 18 points. Marvin Bagley on the bench was also impressive, finishing the half-time with 11 points on 5-9, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal. Bogdanovic had 12 points, De'Aaron Fox had six cents and Willie Cauley-Stein had eight rebounds. Sacramento shot 1-5 out of three in the quarter. Westbrook was the only player on OKC to have double-digit points with 18 of 7-14 and seven rebounds. George stayed at seven points with a 0-5 record in the quarter.
Oklahoma City began the third quarter with a spectacular surge of 15 to 4 and almost took the lead. However, kings resisted thunder (no pun intended) and extended their lead to 90-74. The Thunder then made another try to close the quarter, but a Marvin Bagley jumper at the bell gave the Kings a 94-83 lead after three. Hield continued to be on fire, hitting 32 points on 12-21 shots. Bagley had 13 points and seven rebounds. Westbrook continued to wear the Thunder with 26 points on 10-21 and 10 rebounds.
What an intense fourth quarter it was! Oklahoma City beat the Kings 33-25 in the fourth goal, but that was not enough as the Cardiac Kings resisted thunder twice, despite the loss of their heads. Fox made two free throws to give the Kings a 118-116 lead, and Cauley-Stein made a dubious charge to Westbrook to return the ball to the Kings. Harrison Barnes managed one or two free throws, then George failed to beat Willie to tie the game.
Top players
I predict that Buddy Hield would go over 30 points after the loss to Golden State and I was right. Hield scored 34 shots on 12-22 and 3-5 from the depth with five rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block.
Marvin Bagley III produced another double-double with 19 points on 8-18 and 10 rebounds. He also added three assists, two interceptions and three blocks.
De'Aaron Fox was constantly fouled during the game and should have made more free throw attempts, but he finished with 19 points on a shot from 7 to 16, nine assists, one steal and three cons.
Willie shows money
Willie Cauley-Stein finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a robbery today. He bounced on Steven Adams and shot that charge late in the game.
Notable statistics
Sacramento was 7-19 on three and the Thunder 14-46 shot three.
Oklahoma City easily won the 59-46 rebound battle, but the Kings had more assists at 24-17.
Oklahoma City also had more fast break points at 25-19.
Sacramento has only returned the ball nine times.
Next game
The Kings travel to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves Monday at 5pm (Eastern Time). The Timberwolves will have a loss of 140-128 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
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