The postseason seems to be inching closer for Sacramento after an electrifying Monday night showdown.
Zach LaVine delivered an unforgettable performance, netting 17 of his impressive 43 points in the final quarter. The Kings, showing grit and determination, managed to secure a critical road victory on the tail-end of a back-to-back, decisively closing out against the Pistons 127-117.
Reflecting on the game, J.B. Bickerstaff wasn’t holding back his disappointment. “For us, everything begins with defense. We have to really focus defensively,” he pointed out, as his Pistons were outscored 65-45 in the latter half, according to Omari Sankofa from the Detroit Free Press. “Allowing 18 offensive rebounds is just too much. It’s tough to get your transition game moving when you’re handing them second and third chances.”
This win puts the Kings a game ahead of the Mavericks for the pivotal No. 9 seed in the Western Conference, positioning Sacramento to host Dallas in the initial play-in game.
On the other side of the court, Detroit retains its No. 6 spot in the Eastern Conference despite the setback. However, they now trail Milwaukee by 1.5 games overall, two in the loss category, which dims their hopes of climbing the standings. Landing sixth means a probable face-off with the Knicks in the opening round.
DeMar DeRozan was on fire, contributing a strong 37 points for the Kings. He was instrumental when the team found themselves down by as much as 18 during the first half. Meanwhile, Domantas Sabonis played a crucial role with a triple-double, collecting 19 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists. Cade Cunningham stood out for the Pistons, leading his team with 35 points.
