A Royal Pain
Fansided

Sacramento Kings Fight Back, Lose To Freak-Less Bucks

By Anthony Cardenas

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 10: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half of a game at Fiserv Forum on February 10, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 10: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half of a game at Fiserv Forum on February 10, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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The Sacramento Kings had a legitimate chance at victory with the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, but missed shots and turnovers cost them dearly.

The Sacramento Kings came into snowy Milwaukee as red hot as they’ve been all season, having won 3 in a row and 6 of their last 8 games. Still, they were 10.5 point underdogs, even with the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who missed the game due to the birth of his son. But the Bucks raised their record to 5-0 on the season when the Greek Freak is missing, despite a solid effort from Sacramento.

Things looked like they could get ugly quickly during the first quarter when the Kings were outscored by 14 points, going just 1 for 8 from beyond the arc while Milwaukee shot was 5 of 11. But Sacramento chipped away during the second quarter, thanks to Harrison Barnes who went 3 for 3 from deep and finished with 13 of his 23 points in the period.

The Kings worked their way all the way back to take a one-point lead in to halftime. Barnes didn’t slow down after the break, making his first two threes of the third quarter and helping the Kings build an 87-81 lead with 3:27 left. Sacramento led by 2 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

The Bucks began the final frame on a 10-0 run that took just 90 seconds as well as the wind from the Kings’ sails. Not only did the Bucks regain their offensive prowess, but Sacramento went cold, committing the same turnovers and missing the same open shots that they were in the first quarter.

The comeback from the big early deficit showed the Kings ability to persevere and prove that they are never truly out of a game. After their cold-shooting first quarter, Sacramento went 13 for 35 from deep the rest of the way, which gave them a legitimate shot at victory against the best team in the NBA (albeit without their superstar).

It was the turnovers and missed open shots that eventually cost the Kings in this game. Sloppy ball-handling provided the Bucks with too many opportunities, which they capitalized on. Sacramento’s best efforts were not enough against the likes of Eric Bledsoe, who scored 28 points and added 8 assists.

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The Kings will have the night off tomorrow before heading to Dallas to play Luka Doncic and the Mavericks in the final game before the All-Star Break.

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