Sacramento Kings End 5-Game Homestand With 94-88 Win Over Orlando Magic

Dave Joerger Earns 200th-Career Victory

Pete Youngman, the Sacramento Kings director of sports medicine, attends Skal Labissiere, right, after he takes a hard fall during the team's game against the Orlando Magic at Golden 1 Center. Publicity Agents photo art by T. Ray Harvey. March. 9, 2018.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Sacramento, Calif. —

When two teams with the same identical losing records meet and are jockeying for position in the NBA Draft Lottery race, one squad has to lose and the other has to win. At least that’s the way the NBA’s brass wants it since it verbally banned tanking. That was the ho-hum scenario for the Sacramento Kings and Orlando Magic on Friday at Golden 1 Center. The Kings won 94-84 to finish a five-game homestand where they produced three victories. Garrett Temple had 23 points, two rebounds, two assists, one steal, and four made three-point shots for the Kings (21-45). Kosta Koufos had 18 points and 13 rebounds and Vince Carter came off the bench for 15 points, three rebounds, and one steal. “We made more shots in the second half,” Temple said. “It was great energy. A lot of energy. Those are the games you love getting wins from.”

The Kings held the Magic to just 36 points in the first half. Both teams shot 38 percent or less from the floor in the first half. The Magic made 15 of 40 shots at 37.5 percent while the Kings, who led 41-38 at the half, made 15 of 41 shots at 36.6 percent from the field. Jonathon Simmons had 25 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal for the Magic (20-46). Nikola Vucevic added 13 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one blocked shot. Mario Hezonja had 11 points, five rebounds, and one assist. The Kings are 12-5 this season when they hold their opponent under 100 points. Sacramento never trailed in the game, controlling it for wire-to-wire for the victory. “We weren't in sync and I didn't like that we didn't pay attention to details,” said Magic head coach. “We didn't make good decisions. We were just a little bit out of rhythm.” PUBLIC INFORMATION | Sacramento Kings head coach Dave Joerger won his 200th game. Joerger’s current coaching record is 200-192. | Bogdan Bogdanovic had a career-high 10 assists. | Two-way player for the Kings, Jack Cooley had eight points and three rebounds in eight minutes for the Kings. | Skal Labissiere had to leave the game with a bruised left hip. | The Orlando Magic played 12th set of 15 back-to-back games of the season. The Magic play the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday, March 10.

By T. Ray Harvey | PA Public Information Officer and Photographic Artist

Twitter: Tony Ray Harvey @PublicityAgents

Email: infopublicityagents@gmail.com

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.