Update: 9:30 p.m.
The Kings had a second half comeback that fell short in the fourth quarter as Sacramento fell to the Indiana Pacers 116-105. The loss ensures the Kings and Pacers both have 6 losses on the season, which is a good loss for the tank. The Kings are now tied with the Pacers, Nets and Clippers with 6 losses. The Wizards and Pelicans both have 3 losses.
The Kings were down 66-51 at half. They pulled it to within 88-92 by the end of the third quarter, and actually took a two-point lead with 6:41 left in the fourth quarter. With 3:11 left, the Pacers were back up by 7 and it was over from there.
Russell Westbrook finished with a triple double (24 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds), DeMar DeRozan finished with 20 points and Zach LaVine had 16 points. All three of them played at least 36 minutes. Maxime Raynaud finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists in 23 minutes. Nique Clifford scored 7 points in 14 minutes. Keegan Murray has 8 points and 11 rebounds in 37 minutes.
From Earlier Preview:
The Kings and Pacers, together again. This time, instead of swapping franchise altering players, they are engaged in a fierce tank off while said players recover from injury, although I’m not sure both organizations realize it yet. Sacramento is still desperately trying to win games with veteran players while the Pacers have largely accepted their fate. Indiana only has one starter over 30 – Pascal Siakam.
Who: Sacramento Kings (6-17) vs. Indiana Pacers (5-18)
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
When: 5:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET
Watch: NBCSCA / League Pass
The Kings will enter tonight with the easiest remaining schedule in the NBA, according to our friends at Tankathon. The brutal opening stretch has finally come to a close, and you’ll start to notice a healthy dose of ‘easier’ games like this one in Indiana. Don’t get me wrong, the Kings are capable of losing to anyone, but this is where the accidental tank gets a little trickier. Wins are coming, if they choose to accept them.
Sacramento will be missing a few key players, so despite how little Indiana wants this game, it could be competitive. Domantas Sabonis is out. Dennis Schroder is questionable. Keegan Murray is questionable.
The Pacers are without Tyrese Haliburton, obviously, and joining him on the report are Quenton Jackson, Kam Jones, Aaron Nesmith, Ben Sheppard, and Obi Toppin. They are all out.
Who will tank better? Stay tuned.
Prediction: Kings 117, Pacers 101