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Kings coach Dave Joerger likes to set short-term goals for his young team. He looks at the season in five games and knows very well that his team is in the midst of one of the toughest times of the season.
After losing four straight games against the Denver Nuggets and Warriors, Sacramento found a way to win a win against one of the NBA's most prominent teams. It was not nice because Kings blew many tracks several times. But with the game in play, they found a way to close the Thunder in Oklahoma City.
The 119-116 win helped the Kings win three games above the .500 mark at 31-28. Here are the positives and the negatives of the victory.
POSITIVE
Sacrifice
The difference between winning and losing in the NBA often comes down to one piece. Sometimes it's a big shot or a pair of free throws. From time to time, it is a stop on the defensive side.
Harrison Barnes was on the last possession of the Thunder star, Paul George, forcing the candidate for the most valuable player to miss a match under 31 feet at the ring that could equal the game. But even that was not the game of the night.
While it was 11.5 seconds and the Kings led 118-116, the OKC guard, Russell Westbrook, attacked the edge as though he had done all of it. evening. As he approached the key, Willie Cauley-Stein cut him off. Westbrook squeezed against the Kings' center while he hit the float over it.
After an examination of the game, the officiating crew blocked his initial call – an offensive foul against Westbrook. The game changed the outcome of the match.
FOUL OFFENSIVE !!! pic.twitter.com/hZdQciRmap
– Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 24, 2019
With the development of De 'Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and even Marvin Bagley III, Cauley-Stein had to step back on the offensive. He has presented some extraordinary games this season, but against Westbrook and the Thunder, the 26-year-old showed a new commitment to victory.
He added 10 points and 11 rebounds in 30 minutes of action for his 18th double-double of the season.
POSITIVE
Back home
The great state of Oklahoma loves Buddy Hield. The former Oklahoma Sooner went to Norman earlier in the day to see his alma mater hang and beat the Texas Longhorns, 69-67. He returned in time to illuminate the thunder.
Hield turned on the OKC for 34 points on 12 of the 22 on the field and 3 against 5 from the back of the bow. He came out hot, losing 14 points in the first quarter, then continued all night.
Sacramento's top scorer added five rebounds, four assists and set a new career high with nine free throw attempts. He also toppled his 200th 3-pointer of the season.
NEGATIVE / POSITIVE
Battle in focus
Westbrook vs. Fox is a television not to be missed. The veteran staged a show against Fox, losing 41 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in 35 minutes of action. When he enters an audience, it is almost impossible to stop.
Fox did his best, but once Westbrook started descending, it took a team effort to slow him down.
Although the comparison of statistics is unbalanced, Fox still managed to score 19 points, including nine in the fourth quarter. He also posted a 9 out of 2 support report, blocked three shots and stole.
Finally, Fox won, which is ultimately the only statistic that matters.
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POSITIVE
Build the momentum
Marvin Bagley has arrived. The 19-year-old striker is becoming the double-double machine that the Kings thought he would do when they offered him the # 2 pick in the NBA 2018 draft.
The rookie plays with contagious energy and passion. Against the thunder Saturday, he scored his 12th double of the season. Bagley finished the game with 19 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two interceptions in 36 minutes of the bench.
In February, Bagley averaged 17.6 points and 9.5 rebounds in 29.5 minutes per game. Since returning from injury, the rookie has scored double-digit in 16 games out of 18. He quickly becomes the team's No. 1 option and earns the confidence of coaching staff.
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