Sacramento Kings vs Phoenix Suns 2/13/2024
Game Breakdown
*The Shot Making down the stretch from both teams was an absolute blast!!!*
KD, Booker, O’Neale, Fox, Monk (everyone was getting in on it)
Kings - 125 - 130 L
Fox, Huerter, Murray, Barnes, Sabonis
SABONIS is just so crafty in the DHO
Love the way he drops that pass behind him to give the teammate coming off the advantage
Absolutely stonewalling Nurkic early in the game, this seems like a good matchup for him
Although, NURKIC is able to body him up on the other end as well
Currently leading the NBA in both Triple-Doubles and Double-Doubles
Double-Double Streak is up to 36 (2nd is 17, Embiid)
MURRAY attacking closeouts and being able to attack downhill effectively would be such an awesome addition to his offensive scoring package
% of FGAs between 0-3 feet is actually down by the FG% on these attempts is up
% of FGAs between 3-10 feet is up along with FG% on these attempts
He is taking the Booker matchup which has been another huge part of his overall development and value (taking the toughest, or one of, defensive matchups)
MONK is just a really nice fit with the actions they run because he can play off the ball and space the floor OR he can come off these DHO’s and hit his pull up jumper OR make the passing read
He is getting LIT UP by Gordon on the defensive end in the 1st quarter
Had some playmaking possessions in the 2nd quarter with a block on Allen 3PA and a steal
2nd in APG off the bench, 3rd in 3PM and 3rd in PPG
Feel like he is VERY strongly in the 6MOTY race
Getting HUGE buckets down the stretch, trying to go toe to toe with KD/Booker
He and Fox both with costly turnovers
FOX 3P jumper is working in this one which just makes him almost impossible to defend
29% from 3 in his previous 11 games played
MITCHELL still getting the backup PG minutes over Ellis
I know this has been a pretty steady topic of conversation
Ellis getting the minutes in the 2nd half (ends up only being a couple minutes
HUERTER does not defend a high ball screen the way Mike Brown wants, gives up a 3 to O’Neale, have a conversation about it going into the timeout and Huerter is on the bench coming out of the timeout
Suns
Booker, Allen, Beal, KD, Nurkic
77% of their points are coming from their starting lineup
They have some lineups where they can really drive and kick, drive and kick, one more pass, space the floor, etc.
And then have guys that can also attack the OREBs
The problem is these lineups are going to be CRAZY small with Durant as essentially the defacto 5 on offense and Okogie, Little, etc. on defense
Believe they gave up at least 3 OREB putbacks in a pretty short stretch with this lineup
Allen and Nurkic each come with deflections that lead to steals in the last couple of minutes of the 4th quarter
The EXACT type of plays you need from your role players
Okogie OREB off missed FT
KD with an awesome low man block on Sabonis which is just a reminder that he does have the ability to really turn things up on the defensive end and be impactful
GORDON comes in and gets a quick 6 points (backdoor and-one + corner C&S 3PM)
They are really going to need him to play a role come playoff time along with just continuing to eat up minutes in the regular season
BEAL leaves the game early on with a left hamstring
ALLEN has just been so insanely good for this team
HUGE that they were able to get him in that trade with Nurkic
Not a lockdown perimeter defender but he is at least a guy you can have chase the other team's best guard around and make them work
Has gotten buckets in a variety of ways
Obviously, 3PMs but also off the dribble and cuts
BOOKER jump shot is just picture perfect in a phone booth
Clinic tape for stopping your momentum, getting on balance and rising up into your shot
O’NEALE and OKOGIE are showing some legit, physical defense on the perimeter
Like Allen, they are not lockdown guys at at all but they will give energy and intensity on this end of the court
Feel like O’Neale has really good off ball relocation to find those passing windows for the C&S 3PAs
HUGE 3PM WITH UNDER A MINUTE TO GO OFF A DOUBLE TEAM OF BOOKER
Been a fan of Okogie since the start of the year but he whiffed 3 pretty big layups just in the 3rd quarter (role players HAVE to make these)
Gets a little back with a corner C&S 3PM
HUGE, HUGE OREB UNDER 20 SECONDS THAT PROBABLY SEALS THE GAME
KD just doing ridiculous things in the mid range
This has to be the most frustrating thing as a defender to play perfect defense and he just shoots over you
88% 0-3 Feet, 55% 3-10, 49% 10-16, 49% 16-3P