Just when it looked like the Sacramento Kings were strengthening their playoff campaign, they have come back to reality in their last three games. The most recent game against the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans, losing 114-105.
With a Pelicans team that entered the game without the services of players like Anthony Davis, Tyreke Evans, and Eric Gordon, it seemed like this would be the perfect opportunity for the Kings to get an easy victory. Unfortunately for Sacramento that was not the case.
In the beginning of the game, the Kings came out extremely sluggish, which resulted in Ryan Anderson scoring 17 points and the Pelicans leading the Kings 37-19 after one. Anderson always seems to have a knack to torch the team he grew up admiring, as he finished the game with 36 points.
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The Kings were able to make runs throughout the game, thanks to the play of DeMarcus Cousins and Ben McLemore (both ended the game scoring 26 points), but in the end, they just couldn’t make that extra push in order to regain the lead. Another notable King from last night was Rajon Rondo who contributed 17 points and 15 assists.
For the Kings and their fans through these last three games, it’s disappointing to say the least. After playing such entertaining basketball in the month of January, it looks like the purple and white are going to end the month with a flop.
Sure there are excuses that exist for the Kings deterioration of play like how Rudy Gay hasn’t played in the last two games, George Karl being absent for last night’s game due to illness, and that the Kings were exhausted in Portland after playing a double overtime game to the Hornets the night before. They are all valid.
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However, even though excuses exist, the bottom line is that the Kings still had enough talent, and what fans thought motivation, not to lose three straight winnable games.
Think about it. The Hornets and Pelicans were missing over half of their starting lineups, and the Blazers, although have a solid roster, do not have the measure of talent compared to Sacramento’s.
The way that the Kings have approached inferior opponents this season has been the biggest part of why the Kings are currently not in playoff status anymore. And until they can sort it out, their aspirations of making the postseason will remain in a dream world.
The road trip continues for Sacramento as they head to Memphis to play the Grizzlies Saturday night.