Sacramento Kings Win At Home, Beat Grizzlies 97-92

Kings Command Backboard With 57 Rebounds

Sacramento Kings power forward Nemanja Bjelica dribbles around Memphis Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks at Golden 1 Center. Sacramento, Calif. Publicity Agents photo art by T. Ray Harvey. Oct. 24, 2018.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Sacramento, Calif. — The Sacramento Kings managed to get their first victory at home by taking down the Memphis Grizzlies 97-92 at Golden 1 Center on Wednesday.

.Buddy Hield had 23 points, seven rebounds, and two assists to lead the Kings. De’Aaron Fox added 21 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocked-shots for Sacramento.

.The Kings as a team pulled down 57 rebounds, 15 on the offensive side of the floor. Justin Jackson and Nemanja Bjelica each had 15 rebounds and Willie Cauley-Stein took 15 off the boards. Marvin Bagley had 13 points and six rebounds off the bench.

“We were on the second night of a back-to-back, we made a lot of mistakes against a veteran team, but we just kept coming and we overcame those mistakes,” Kings head coach said of his team that lost 126-112 on the road to the Denver Nuggets the night before. “Just a fantastic win.”

.The Kings (2-3) were down by six points with 3:14 seconds left in the third quarter, before going on an 8-2 run to start the final frame tied 71-71.

.The game was tied three times before the Kings climbed to an 89-80 advantage, capped off by a layup by Justin Jackson with 4:38 left to play. The Kings didn’t look back and held on for the win.

.The game marked the first time Sacramento scored less than 100 points in five games. The Grizzlies’ 92 points were their lowest-point production in their first four games of the season.

.Mike Conley had 27 points, six rebounds, and five assists, and one steal for the Grizzlies (2-2). Marc Gasol had 10 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocked shots before he had to exit early in the fourth quarter with an unspecified injury.

“Actually, it was the third quarter that hurt us,” said Memphis guard Garret Temple, a former Sacramento King that was traded to the Grizzlies last summer. “We were up by eight points in the third and then we let them get life. And then in the fourth quarter, we didn't take the right shots, and when our two bigs were out it was a tough trip.”

.Sacramento Kings head coach Dave Joerger and Memphis Grizzlies head coach JB Bickerstaff on high-scoring games in the NBA:

.Dave Joerger:

“I don’t think it’s necessarily the rule changes, in my personal opinion. I think you’re seeing more analytics ball, you know what I mean. Who’s doubling in the post anymore? Nobody. They are just teeing it up and letting guys go one-on-one, in my opinion, and not so scared of giving up the three. A lot of teams are doing those kinds of things.”

.JB Bickerstaff:

“I think the game is definitely speeding up. I think the way the game is being called, the freedom of movement and those types of things, are helping offenses. You can’t put your hands of people, so that gives them the opportunity to drive and cut, and get to the paint. You know when you get to the paint, people are forced into more help positions, and they can kick it out for 3s as well. Overall, teams are focused more on playing faster and shoot more 3s. When you do that you’ll more uptick in the scoring.”

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

Footage by Russell Stiger Jr. | PA Visual Artist and Image Content Specialist

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.