Brooklyn Nets End 16-Game Skid, Defeat Sacramento Kings 109-100
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Sacramento, Calif. –The Sacramento Kings watched plenty of film on the Brooklyn Nets before they played them at Golden 1 Center.
The Nets rode into town the losers of 16-straight games. What the Kings learned watching film was that the Nets have been playing together a lot longer than their makeshift roster.
The Nets pulled out a 109-100 victory over the Kings (25-36 overall, 13-18 G1C), who have lost their last three games, all at home. The Nets won their 10th game of the season and third on the road. Brooklyn had only one victory in their last 28 games before beating the Kings.
The Kings stayed within range of the Nets throughout the game. But whenever they wanted to make a move they either turned the ball over or missed need basket. It was typical of a team that has not been together long and has not had quality time to practice.
“It hurts but we got to give them credit. They played well,” said Kings guard Arron Afflalo, who returned from a three-game absence dealing with a left-hamstring injury. “We watched a lot of film on them and they have been in games. We knew that coming in if we didn't get over that hump, get over that six-point deficit, that they still have NBA players who can finish games.”
Sacramento Kings player Darren Collison defends Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin at Golden 1 Center on March 1. Publicity Agents photo art by T. Ray Harvey.
Buddy Hield lead the Kings with 16 points while Ty Lawson and Tyreke Evans had 15 points each. Afflalo had 14 points starting at small forward. Skal Labissiere also started and had 10 points and five rebounds in 15 minutes.
“We didn't come out with enough force to start the game and they physically manhandled us around the perimeter of the floor,” Kings coach Dave Joerger said. “We just dribbled too much, which caused them to get opportunities for run outs. We just got to get stronger with the basketball.”
Brook Lopez had 24 points, eight rebounds, and one-blocked shots for the Nets (10-49 overall, 3-18 road). Jeremy Lin added 17 points, five assists, and two rebounds while Isaiah Whitehead chipped in 14 points off the bench.
The Nets jumped out to 21-8 lead midway through the first quarter. The never had the lead at any point of the game. Lopez and Lin made six free throws combined in the last 1:27 of the game to seal the deal for the Nets.
“I’m just thankful because I feel like the guys have worked really hard,” Lin said. “I wasn’t a part of some of the losses. But to see our organization to lose 15, 16 in a row, I felt like the guys deserved more than that. They deserved the win a long time ago.”
By T. Ray Harvey | PA Public Information Officer and Photographic Artist
Twitter: Tony Ray Harvey @PublicityAgents
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T. Ray (Antonio) Harvey is a Public Information Officer and Photographic Artist for Publicity Agents. Harvey is also the author of The HOMICIDAL HANDYMAN OF OAK PARK: MORRIS SOLOMON JR.
