Sacramento Kings: Kent Bazemore, Harrison Barnes sparking offense

Both Kent Bazemore and Harrison Barnes have gotten hot offensively in recent play, and their numbers are adding up for the Sacramento Kings. In search of a playoff appearance, this play could be significant down the stretch.

Before January 24th, the Sacramento Kings were looking as if they were going to miss the postseason once again amid another disappointing season.

However, the team has been firing on all cylinders since then, making it increasingly possible they could make the playoffs if they can sustain this high level of play.

The newly acquired Kent Bazemore has been a significant part of this success after coming over from the Portland Trail Blazers in January. Getting the shooting guard seemed like a way to free up cap space for the upcoming offseason, but he has turned out to be a massive part of the rotation.

In his last 10 games, Bazemore has been averaging 11.0 points per game on 42.5 percent field goal shooting and 37.9 percent shooting from three-point range. Coming off the bench, the 30-year-old has found himself in a robust rhythm offensively and has been stellar.

Bazemore is not the only member of the Kings who has been heating up offensively recently, however, as teammate Harrison Barnes has also chimed in. Barnes has stated that he would not shave his face or cut his hair until the team is .500 or the season ends.

The report seemed crazy at first, as the team was well below the targeted mark. Yet, Barnes has been playing at such a high level lately as if he wants to fulfill that promise and shave. Throughout his last 10 appearances for the Kings, Barnes has been nothing short of phenomenal.

The small forward is shooting the lights out, hitting 49.5 percent of his field goals along with a remarkable 51.2 percent of his shots from behind the arc. Averaging 13.8 points per game, Barnes’ efforts have been a significant factor.

The Kings might be 6-4 in this stretch of games but have been a significantly better team than they were throughout the regular season.

Currently sitting in 12th place in this loaded playoff race, Sacramento has a chance to sneak into the postseason if the team can keep performing well. The Kings have won a pair of massive games for their playoff hopes coming out of the All-Star break, having major implications.

The first was versus the Memphis Grizzlies who are currently clinging onto that final playoff spot, and the other against the third-seeded Los Angeles Clippers, who have been struggling.

A small sample size, but perhaps these two wins can spark some momentum that the team can carry as their postseason drought hopefully comes to an end.

It will not be easy, but with Kent Bazemore and Harrison Barnes lighting it up on the offensive side of the ball along with the rest of the team performing well, this could finally be the year.

With 26 games to go, every single game from here on counts.