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Sacramento Kings Weekly: Back Into Last Place

By Jacob Hammond

Jan 26, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (16) thanks his teammates after scoring a three point basket against the Denver Nuggets in the second half of their NBA basketball game Sunday, January 26, 2014 at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports.Nuggets win 125-117.
Jan 26, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (16) thanks his teammates after scoring a three point basket against the Denver Nuggets in the second half of their NBA basketball game Sunday, January 26, 2014 at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports.Nuggets win 125-117. /
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Monday January 27 at Utah Jazz

Playing another game without Cousins and Gay, the Kings had a chance to beat the last place Jazz in Utah. However, once again the Kings were not able to generate enough offense to beat the Jazz and they lost 106-99. This marked their fourth straight loss, and this was the third time they have had at least that many losses. The Kings shot only 41% from the field and only hit five threes total. Each starter scored in double digits, including Travis Outlaw who was starting for Aaron Gray. Again McLemore played much better, he scored 14 points on 50% shooting and he had nine rebounds. Furthermore, Jason Thompson had a good game as he scored 19 points and 11 rebounds, he shot 7-10 from the field. The worst part of this loss is it dropped the Kings to dead last in the Western Conference, again not the best week for the Kings.

Lions and Zebras

Lions

Jan 19, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Sacramento Kings shooting guard Marcus Thornton (23) dribbles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Sacramento Kings shooting guard Marcus Thornton (23) dribbles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Marcus Thornton over the past three games has been much better, after the 42 points he scored against Indiana, he followed it up with 19 points and 11 points. Furthermore, he shot 53% from the field, and he also hit eight threes total for the three games.

The other shooting guard Ben McLemore also started playing better of late, over the past four games he averaged 11.5 points and shooting 37% from three. It will be interesting to see if both McLemore and Thornton can keep playing this way when everyone gets back from injury.

Zebras

Isaiah Thomas has been scoring 22 points per game over the past five games, however, he is only shooting 37% from the field. Even worse he is shooting 24% from downtown, both these percentages are way below his averages of 45% and 37%.

The Week Ahead

The Kings have lost four in a row and with their upcoming schedule it could reach at least seven games. On Wednesday the Kings welcome in the Memphis Grizzlies, who are now above .500 and playing well. Then the Kings go to Texas for games against the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs. Then the Chicago Bulls come into Sacramento on Monday. It will be hard to win any of these games, but with both Cousins and Gay back they would have a chance.

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