Sacramento Kings: The Good and Bad Against The Nuggets

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 3: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings is congratulated by teammates against the Denver Nuggets on January 3, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 3: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings is congratulated by teammates against the Denver Nuggets on January 3, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
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SACRAMENTO, CA – JANUARY 3: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings celebrates with bench after play against the Denver Nuggets on January 3, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – JANUARY 3: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings celebrates with bench after play against the Denver Nuggets on January 3, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Good #1: Great First Half

When a team competes against the Nuggets this year, they pretty much need to be on their A-game, and the Kings did exactly that during the first half of tonight’s match.

The Kings arguably had their best first half of the season. Throughout the 24-minute period, the purple and white were playing great basketball on both ends of the court whether it came from their starters or bench players. As a result, the Kings found themselves up by 13 points going into halftime. Not an easy feat considering how great the Nuggets have been playing all season.

Good #2: Harry Giles

After having a solid outing against the Portland Trail Blazers, Dave Joerger called upon Harry Giles again for significant minutes. For a second straight game, Giles did not disappoint. In 19 minutes of action, he was able to record six points, five rebounds, and three assists.

The numbers are not that great for Harry, but his play definitely gave his team a spark as he was aggressive and active against his opponents. If Harry continues to play with the same type of production and energy, he will continue to see more consistent playing time going forth.

Good #3: Three-Point Shooting

As I mentioned, the Kings had a great first half of basketball which led to them scoring 113 points against a good defensive squad in Denver. A big part of the Kings’ offensive success tonight was due to their three-point shooting as they were able to make over 40% of their shots from the perimeter.

With Denver having a lot of size and length in the interior, the Kings needed to have a good night shooting the long ball. And they got it from guys like Buddy Hield, Nemanja Bjelica, and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

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