Kings Clearly Do Not Fear The Deer, stop Bucks easily

Mar 23, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center Aaron Gray (33) scores a basket against Milwaukee Bucks center John Henson (31) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 124-107. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Kings played a glorious first half of basketball, which was more than enough against the hapless Milwaukee Bucks, winning 124-107 in a game that should not have been as close as the final score. DeMarcus Cousins poured in 32 points on 14/19 FG, added 12 rebounds and dished out 4 assists. He also led one amazing one-man fast break that was just breathtaking . The game was never close however the Kings did not play well in the 2nd half which caused Mike Malone to really shake his head on the way to the locker room despite the numerous fans trying to give him a low five.

BOOGIE GETS DOWN, BIG 3 ALL DOMINATE

DMC really did it all tonight fast breaks, passing, step back fade aways, one handed runners. The full arsenal was out tonight and he seemed to be really in a cheerful mood, probably partly due to the Kentucky victory over Wichita State.

Isaiah Thomas had another excellent game with 30 points and 8 assists. Most notably, he really started the game looking to facilitate the offense and get everyone involved especially with the talent deficit for the Bucks when it came to matching up with Cousins and Rudy Gay.

Rudy had another solid game minus the 2nd half where he may have become way too focused on iso ball. Still he was efficient and chipped in 24 points on 9/16 FGs, contributed 8 rebounds and 4 assists. You take the good with the bad and there’s been a lot more good with Rudy in his Kings tenure. I hope this team can resign him or at the least he opts in to give Pete D’Alessandro/Mike Malone more time to evaluate.

A TALE OF 2 HALVES

Mike Malone was not happy at the end of the game and his post game presser because of a miserable 2nd half performance by the Kings, particularly the bench. Ray McCalum had his worst game (2 points, 1/4 fgs, 2 assists, -17)  as a King as the offense just stagnated under his direction into a lot of 1 on 1 play. The transition defense in the 2nd half was poor as the Bucks ended up shooting nearly 50 percent for the game overall despite having an awful first half from the field. Derrick Williams was a no-show tonight. I particularly watched him during the Kings possessions and he relegated himself to making a pass to the wing or the block from the top of the key or setting a simple down screen. There was very little cutting or aggressive action to D-Thrill’s game tonight and I just couldn’t understand it.

B-MAC GETTING COMFORTABLE

Ben McLemore continues to look a lot more at ease on the court taking what the defense gives him and getting the right timing on his jumper. He shot 6 of 15 tonight but his feel for the game seems to look much better than at the beginning of the season.

OTHER NOTES

Royce White did not get much time on the court tonight as he played less than a minute due likely to the poor play of the bench in the 2nd half forcing Malone to stick with Isaiah and Rudy in the 4th quarter. Aaron Gray had a nice post move (see above pic for evidence) resulting in a hook shot for 2 points! Reggie Evans grabbed some rebounds and Travis Outlaw took any jumper he could.

NEXT UP

The big bad New York Knicks come to town for a Wednesday night tilt. No Jimmer to save the Kings this time though!