Sacramento Kings: Takeaways From Win Over New Orleans Pelicans
The Sacramento Kings came back on the road to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans in overtime. Let’s look at a few takeaways from this great game!
After trailing closely for the majority of the game, the Sacramento Kings rallied in the fourth to send this game into overtime.
Once there, clutch shots by Zach Randolph and rookie Frank Mason would seal the deal.
What a great game this was for the Kings, as they ended the four-game road trip with a record of 2-2. They defeated the Chicago Bulls and the New Orleans Pelicans while falling to superior teams in the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Let’s go into what we learned following the win:
Zach Randolph Can Still Ball
No one expected this type of performance by the veteran Randolph. He had a season-high 35 points accompanied by 13 rebounds and two assists.
He shot 14/22 from the field including 5/9 from three in 33 minutes. His most notable play had to be the corner three with a defender all over him. This was with the shot clock winding down — in overtime.
Randolph showed everyone that he can still ball no matter his age or speed — two things he’s been soundly knocked for plenty of times.
George Hill May Be Traded
George Hill didn’t have a terrible game, however, it looks as if his time in Sacramento could be coming to an end in only his first season with the team.
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He had nine points on 4/8 shooting in only 18 minutes on the floor.
You would think a player getting $20 million this season would be more active in all aspects of the game, but that has not been the case for Hill.
Both of Sacramento’s rookie point guards showed why it is time to move on from Hill.
Frank Mason and De’Aaron Fox are Great
De’Aaron Fox did struggle shooting the ball against New Orleans, but his impact on the game was still felt.
He scored 14 points on 5/14 shooting while also knocking down one three-pointer. He also played 36 minutes, more than the other two point guards and notched two steals.
The other rookie guard, Frank Mason, also came up big. He shot 4/10 from the field, including 1/2 from deep, accounting for 12 points. He also had three assists and five rebounds to go with one steal in 25 minutes.
He had a huge floater in overtime after juking his way past Jrue Holiday. The Kings may have hit the jackpot with they drafted these two point guards.
Buddy Hield is Great off the Bench
Buddy Hield was not having a good start to the season as a starter. But, when he was moved to the bench, he became extremely valuable to this offense.
Next: Kings Defeat Warriors on Road
Hield accounted for 18 points off the bench and added seven rebounds! He shot 7/12 from the field, to go along with 4/5 from deep in 33 minutes on the floor.
He also had the game-tying three pointer late in the fourth, to send the game into overtime.
Hield continues to excel off the bench and it will be fun to watch him progress in his sophomore season. Let’s not forget he put this performance on against his former team.
Next Game
The Kings face the Toronto Raptors on Sunday at home at 12:30 PST.