A Royal Pain
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Kings: Buddy Hield Proves His Worth In Kings Win Over Warriors

By Anthony Cardenas

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket past Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Golden 1 Center on February 20, 2020 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. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Buddy Hield #24 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket past Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Golden 1 Center on February 20, 2020 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. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield has played well lately, and proved that he’s worth every penny of his big contract in Tuesday’s win over the Warriors.

It has been a roller coaster of a season of Sacramento Kings sharpshooter Buddy Hield. He has endured shooting slumps and losing streaks, and has been vocal in the media regarding frustrations with his role on the team. Hield has seemed to turn a corner, however, and is playing some of the best ball of his career since he was moved to the bench 13 games ago. It could be a turned corner, or just another crest on the roller coaster.

Hield was able to punctuate his hot streak on Tuesday evening in Sacramento’s win over the Warriors. He spent the first three quarters as he had the entire previous game against the Clippers: in a funk. He shot just one for eight from the field, starting the fourth quarter with just four points. It looked like Hield would be finishing the night with a point total in single digits for the second time in as many games after not having one since December 21st.

The fourth quarter might as well have been a different game. Hield flipped a switch starting with the Kings’ second possession of the final frame when he hit a long three to set the tone early. What had once been a 6 point Kings lead in the final minutes of the third quarter was about to get the Buddy Treatment.

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Before the Warriors knew what hit them, Hield had hit three triples in under two minutes to push the lead to 17 points. Hield now had 13, and back-to-back single digit nights was quickly out of the picture.

The Kings would hold on to win the game as they should have, and it might not have been possible without Hield’s heroics. His shooting performance in the late-going goes a long way in justifying the large contract that he received last summer, which some in the fan base are still griping about.

But the stellar shooting when the Kings needed it most is exactly why they were willing to pay Hield all that money in the first place. While there are plenty of knock-down shooters in today’s NBA, there are few that can get as hot as Hield and as quickly. He has confidence to shoot the ball on three, four, five consecutive possessions, and has the skill to make upwards of 40 percent of them.

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Last year, Hield was able to prove that he was a hot commodity by being a regular contributor on a team that won a surprising 39 games. He has taken a step back this season with his scoring averages and shooting numbers, but he has occasionally proved that he can still come in and single-handedly pull the Kings to victory with his sharp shooting.

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