Kings Report – 12/25

The beam still works! For the first time since December 6, when the Kings beat the Miami Heat, the beam was lit again in Sacramento. It was just the Kings’ fourth home win of the season at the Golden 1 Center, and it was long overdue. On Sunday, December 21, the Kings outlasted Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets in overtime, pulling out a 125–124 victory.

We got a preview of what was to come later in the game when the Kings opened the first quarter on a 14–4 run, but by halftime, we were down 68–57. I was convinced we were about to settle into our usual routine of trailing by nine for the entire game.

But things turned around in the fourth quarter. A 12–0 run by the Kings cut a 14-point deficit with ten minutes left and completely shifted the momentum. Down five with two minutes left and after four offensive rebounds in a row, it looked like Houston was going to run out the clock. But the Kings never gave up. A three-pointer by Russell Westbrook tied the game with 14 seconds left and sent it to overtime.

With 39 seconds left in overtime and the game tied, 122-122, a questionable call sent Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr. to the line for three free throws, but when he missed one, it gave the Kings the opportunity to take the lead on a three by Dennis Schröder, and the Kings beat the Rockets, 125-124. Golden 1 Center went wild! The Kings had four players score over 20 points: DeMar DeRozan with 27, Keegan Murray with 26, Dennis Schröder with 24, and Russell Westbrook with 21. I absolutely loved watching the Keegan Murray–Kevin Durant matchup, along with rookie Maxime Raynaud pulling down 14 rebounds while playing extended minutes in the absence of Domantas Sabonis. I think this win should sustain me for about a week, so let’s try to do it again soon, please.

The Kings continue their light schedule this week with a game against the 12-19 Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, December 27, at the Golden 1 Center, before they head out on a two-game road trip in Los Angeles with a game against the 19-9 Lakers on Sunday, December 28, and the 8-21 Clippers on Tuesday, December 30. All I want for Christmas is for the Kings to beat the Lakers. Let’s light the beam!