NBA

Kings Fall Short In Philadelphia

Mar 15, 2019, 6:50 PM

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)...

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Sacramento Kings kept it close all game in Philadelphia on Friday but couldn’t break through as they dropped the final game of a four game road trip to the 76ers by a final of 123-114.

Sacramento will return home to face the Chicago Bulls on Sunday after going 1-3 on the road trip.

The 76ers starting five all scored 18 points or more, led by 22 points from Jimmy Butler and 21 points from Joel Embiid to go along with 17 rebounds. JJ Redick and Tobias Harris scored 19 points each while Ben Simmons added 18 points of his own as Philadelphia improved to 44-25 on the season, including improving to a 28-9 record on their home floor.

Sacramento had no scoring outbursts on Friday, led by 16 points from both De’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes. Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic struggled, shooting a combined 8-of-28 from the field, including 3-of-13 from beyond the three-point line. Willie Cauley-Stein added 13 points and 7 rebounds for the Kings, who lost for the ninth time over their past twelve contests.

The rookies from Duke came to play in Philly, as Marvin Bagley III scored 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting while Harry Giles III scored 14 points to go along with 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

While the Kings have hit a rough stretch of late, they have competed in every contest to the very end. Sacramento has lost each of their last eight games by an average of 5.25 points. In each of those games, the Kings have had opportunities to win the ball game and fallen short. This is where experience and poise comes into play, something we could see next year’s Kings team take strides in: closing games. There are no moral victories in basketball, but this team is on the right path.

Patience is key.

Coming Up

The Kings come home on Sunday as they will open up a four game homestand against the Chicago Bulls.

Sacramento defeated the Bulls 109-89 back on December 10th in Chicago, and will look to finish off the last leg of the season with a St. Patricks Day victory at Golden 1 Center.

Catch all the action right here on Sports 1140 KHTK, starting with pregame coverage at 2:30pm followed by tipoff at 3:00pm.

Newsletter

NBA

Sasha Vezenkov #7 of the Sacramento Kings shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors in the ...

Brenden Nunes

Sasha Vezenkov working to return from grade three right ankle sprain

On January 22nd, the Atlanta Hawks came into Golden 1 Center to face off against the Sacramento Kings. During the action, Sasha Vezenkov checked in for the fifth consecutive night despite being questionable with a left ankle injury he suffered in practice days prior. Unfortunately, the reigning Euroleague MVP suffered a moderate right ankle sprain […]

10 hours ago

Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors argues with a referee before being ejected during a...

Field Level Media

Warriors’ Draymond Green on most recent ejection: ‘It just can’t happen’

Draymond Green said on his podcast that he deserved to be ejected for his actions in his team's game against the Orlando Magic.

15 hours ago

De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings guards Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first...

Joseph Jarosz

Sam Amick on where the Sacramento Kings will be at the end of the season

With 10 games left in the season, the Sacramento Kings find themselves in an arms race for the sixth and final playoff spot. Where will they end the year?

16 hours ago

Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks go for a ...

Brenden Nunes

Sacramento Kings need to limit turnovers and increased physicality in Friday’s rematch

Sacramento Kings need to improve turnovers and physicality Friday After suffering a costly 132-96 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, the Sacramento Kings get a chance for redemption on Friday.

17 hours ago

Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks passes the ball over Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Ki...

Joseph Jarosz

Jason Anderson: The final playoff spot will come down to the Kings or Mavs

Jason Anderson, Sacramento Kings reporter for the Sacramento Bee, joined The Drive Guys to discuss the final push for the playoffs, another matchup with the Mavericks looming after Tuesday's loss, and more.

20 hours ago

Jalen Suggs #4 of the Orlando Magic drives on Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors du...

Field Level Media

Warriors complete back-to-back sweep, hold off Magic 101-93 Wednesday night

Gary Payton II stalled an Orlando run with an interior hoop, Stephen Curry saved his only two fourth-quarter baskets for the final 1:09 and the Golden State Warriors overcame the early ejection of Draymond Green to hold off the host Magic 101-93 on Wednesday night.

1 day ago

Kings Fall Short In Philadelphia