Alperen Sengun and the Rockets on a walk-off against the Kings

Two days after beating the Jazz at home, the Rockets subjected the Kings to the same treatment. Flawless victory (128-97) achieved thanks to the activity of the trio Reed Sheppardvery enterprising with 3 points (28 points on 7/16 from distance, a new career high), Alperen Sengunbest player (26 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists) i Kevin Durantin efficiency (21 points).

in front, Maquime Raynaud he narrowly missed a double-double (11 points and 8 rebounds), but he is above everything Russell Westbrook who left his mark with a fiery first quarter that ended with 17 points! The leader proved unsustainable with a LaMelo Ball-esque string of mid-range shots on one leg. After 12 minutes he was 8/14 on shots, while the rest of his team recorded a dismal 1/10.

Therefore, in this context, it is difficult to stay in touch with the home team, which led by 11 points (33-22). The deficit worsened early in the second quarter due to Sengun’s interior activity and with Shepard in full swing behind the arc, not hesitating to attack from long range. After the offensive jump that Turkin transferred to the first shot that his leader missed, he returned without hesitation and brought the deficit to 20 points (49-29).

Sacramento wouldn’t put up any more resistance in the coming minutes, even if Westbrook drew a big foul on Sengun to prevent him from climbing the rim, which would have the smile of his former teammate Kevin Durant. A few seconds later, the two-man game between Sengun and Shepard worked again with another winning shot by the leader (69-45). The Turk then played a good ball to Tari Eason from behind the arc, before finishing with a move with his back to the basket.

With a 27-point advantage at the break (77-50), the home team had something to look forward to in the rest of the event. The difference would later increase to 36 units.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

– The dark season continues for Keegan Murray. His face marked with frustration, the Kings winger had to leave his teammates early near the end of the first quarter. The latter, while trying to contest a circle climb from Clint Capela, landed badly on his left ankle. The same ankle that kept him off the field six weeks because of a sprain. Keegan Murray, who went straight to the dressing room and did not return to the game, has only just returned to the competition having played the last three matches for his team. In his fourth season in the NBA, the No. 4 pick in the 2022 draft has never played as little as he did this year (23 games).

– DeMar DeRozan is climbing the hierarchy again. The author of 15 points without too many, the guard of the Kings passed Paul Pierce to the 20th place in the ranking of the best scorers in his career (he also passed Jon Havlicek). The next targets for the “mid-range” king (26,406 points): Tim Duncan (26,496) and Dominique Wilkins (26,668), not forgetting… Stephen Curry (26,447) right in front of him if he stayed in the infirmary.

– Killian Hayes fires a new cartridge. Signed contract for ten days with the Kings, the leader wanted to forget his zero points during his first appearance against the Grizzlies. Mission failed. Despite a good pass in the second quarter with a lobbed pass to compatriot Rayno, then a winning basket, the Frenchman will not have the opportunity to punish again: 3 points (1/9 on shots) and 4 assists in 20 minutes. Serious missed opportunity with this “garbage”.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.