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Mike Brown explains why Sunday’s blowout loss could be a ‘great thing for this team’

Feb 6, 2023, 9:01 AM | Updated: 9:02 am

Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown watches his team play against the Memphis Grizzlies in the s...

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Sacramento Kings have lost two in a row and five of their last eight. In a season of highs, Sunday’s 32-point blowout was a definite low. And coach Mike Brown is interested to see how the team responds.

Following Sunday’s loss, Brown told reporters after the game that the loss to the Pelicans could be a good thing.

“Cause we’ve had a pretty good year so far and we’ve experienced a lot of highs,” Brown said. “Now we’re hitting a little adversity, we’re hitting a little adversity cause we can’t make shots, we’re getting good looks, we’re getting open looks, but we just can’t make them right now. We’re turning the ball over, we’re not getting stops and you know, we dropped two in a row. We’ve hit some adversity.”

The Kings still rank amongst the top of the league in offense, but over the last two games, they’ve barely been able to crack 100 points. And between the games against the Pacers and Pelicans, the team also turned the ball over a combined 34 times.

These games should have been favorable for the Kings, too. The Pacers and Pelicans played Sacramento on the second night of back-to-back games. But these games have been kryptonite for the Kings, who are 2-8 when playing teams on the second night of back-to-backs.

“I’m interested to see how we respond from this adversity, not just short term but long term as a team, but more importantly as individuals,” Brown went on to say. “Cause when you hit adversity as an individual, your true colors come out. And right now, I don’t know if we’re all in like we talked about at the beginning of the year and how we’ve been because things are flowing and we’re winning and we’re in third place or whatever. So right now, I’m going to sit back and I’m going to watch and see how we all handle this adversity. It’s tough to go through, but it’s a great thing for this team to experience right now because at the end of the day if we do expect to make the playoffs if we do expect to advance in the playoffs, we’re going to have to deal with adversity.”

The Sacramento Kings look to bounce back Monday night with back-to-back games against the Houston Rockets.

Be sure to get all of your Kings vs. Rockets coverage on Sactown Sports 1140 starting at 3:30 p.m. PST with Game Night before action tips off at 5 p.m. PST from Houston.

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