Post Game Summary – Kings 129, Mavericks 128
SACRAMENTO, CA – OCTOBER 9: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings smiles during the game against the Golden State Warriors during a NBA preseason game on October 9, 2024 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Phew! The Kings were able to just baaarely survive in Dallas tonight, pulling out a one-point victory in overtime.
The game went back and forth with neither side able to establish control for an extended period of time. The Kings felt like they were emphasizing pushing the pace early on, as we saw the Kings take shots quicker into the shot clock and push the ball in transition more than they did in Zach LaVine’s first few games as a King. Another point of emphasis seemed to be getting DeMar DeRozan going early. DeRozan struggled against New Orleans on Saturday night and didn’t seem to be very involved in the early parts of that win for the Kings. Tonight, however, DeRozan had 21 points in the first half, and he finished with an uber-efficient, season-high 42 points (15-22 FG, 4-6 3PT), 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
Turnovers were the achilles heel for the Kings throughout this game. Whenever they seemed to make a run or have a fairly comfortable lead, they would give the ball away and kill their own momentum. Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk and LaVine combined for 12 of the Kings’ 20 turnovers. Of course, these guys will need some time to develop chemistry and have a better feel for how they will want to play with one another. But, this has been recurring theme for the Kings ever since they traded De’Aaron Fox. It remains to be seen how well their offense will function without a “true” point guard.
Coach Doug Christie trotted out the Lithuanian Lineup for the first time tonight in the fourth quarter, giving Jonas Valanciunas and Domantas Sabonis time together on the court. The duo crushed Jason Kidd’s small lineups on the glass in their first minutes together in the NBA. Valanciunas fouled out with a few minutes to go, but the lineup was promising and could be something the Kings revisit down the line against other teams who field small lineups.
DeRozan battled with Kyrie irving, as the two stars countered each other with clutch bucket after clutch bucket. The Kings seemed to have had the game won when they had possession and a two point lead with just 21 seconds to go. DeRozan gave Dallas life when he stunningly chose to take a shot rather than let the Mavericks foul him. DeRozan drove on Max Christie and had a nice look at the rim, but he missed the layup. Dallas capitalized on his mistake and Klay Thompson drilled a three to take a one-point lead. In heroic fashion, DeRozan redeemed himself with a clean pump-fake and step through floater, hitting the game-winner.
This game had major seeding implications. With this win, the Kings move within 0.5 games of Dallas, who are currently the 8th seed in the conference. The victory tonight also gives the Kings the season series over Dallas. Sacramento leads the season series 2-0 and the two teams will only face off one more time this season (on March 3rd, in Dallas).
Kings Scribe 
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