Raptors Prevail Over Shorthanded Kings

by Franklin Cartoscelli – Sports 1140 KHTK

For the second time in as many nights, a rough second half cost the Sacramento Kings a victory.

In a game that saw many players unavailable for both sides, the Toronto Raptors defeated the Sacramento Kings 120-105 on Tuesday night at Scotiabank Arena.

With the loss, Sacramento falls to 1-3 on the current six game roadtrip, and 24-24 on the season.

Kings coach Dave Joerger opted to rest starters De’Aaron Fox, Iman Shumpert and Nemanja Bjelica in the second game of the back-to-back. Joerger stated that he felt the trio could use an extra day off in preparation for Friday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. It’s no coincidence that Joerger rested these three players, as they are shooting a combined 28% over the past five contests.

First career start for @MB3FIVE.

First points of the game for @MB3FIVE. pic.twitter.com/CFFRCETYYR

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) January 23, 2019

Toronto was without MVP candidate and starting small forward Kawhi Leonard, who missed his third straight game due to rest.

The Raptors did not waver, as they improved to 11-2 this season when Leonard is out of the lineup. Fred VanVleet did a nice job of pacing the Toronto offense with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Raptor big-men Pascal Siakam and Serge Ibaka combined for 33 points and 14 rebounds in the wining effort.

The Kings trailed 60-56 at the half before being outscored 60-49 in the second half. Coming into the game averaging a league 8th best 113.6 points per game, Sacramento again failed to hit their average. The last time the Kings scored 113 points or more was on January 14 against Portland, when they scored 115 points in a victory.

The Kings are 14-10 when scoring 113 points or more this season.

In his first career NBA start, Marvin Bagley III had a solid game for Sacramento with a career-high 22 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots over 37 minutes. Fellow Duke Blue Devil alumni Harry Giles added 11 points and 4 rebounds to go along with two blocked shots.

Bogdan Bogdanovic had an all-around effort for the Kings with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists.

The Kings kept up for most of the game with a Raptors team that holds a league best 21-4 record at home before a sloppy fourth quarter cost them the game. In a game that saw them down three starters, Sacramento was no match down the stretch for a very deep Toronto team that has won 12 of their past 14 games.

Coming Up

Sacramento will look to take advantage of two full days off as they head to Memphis to face the Grizzlies on Friday evening.

The Kings are 2-1 against the Grizz this season, with both wins coming at Golden 1 Center. Memphis has struggled mightily of late, losing 18 of their past 22 games after a 15-10 start to the season.

Catch all the action right here on Sports 1140 KHTK, starting with pregame coverage at 4:30pm and tip-off at 5:00pm.

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