Despite Amazing Second Half Comeback Kings Fall to Jazz 128-120
Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes, right, defends against Utah Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk (41) during the first half at Salt Lake City on Mon Mar 20, 2023 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
The Sacramento Kings (43-28) took on the Utah Jazz (35-36) Monday night at Vivint Arena. They are currently having some great success on the road winning three in a row. The Jazz ended the Kings short streak with an eight point win 128-120. .
What the Kings saw in the first quarter was somewhat of a shocker with the Kings falling behind 40-19. They did win the second quarter 33-28 but trailed at the half 68-52. Sacramento had a miserable shooting first half and the Kings had a lot of work to do in the second half.
Sacramento made an amazing comeback in the third quarter. After trailing by as much as 25 points they had tied up this game at 88 with just over three minutes left in the quarter. The Sacramento offense had come to life in a big way erasing the huge lead the Jazz had built. After three quarters this game was tied at 95.
The Kings went into the fourth quarter and all eyes would turn to the NBA’s number one fourth quarter clutch player De’Aaron Fox. At the four minute mark this game was tied at 113 with both teams fighting for the lead. With 2:18 left in the game we had a one point game in favor of the Jazz 116-115. Utah would waltz away with this game.
The comeback that the Kings had was amazing but it was that deficit in the first quarter that ultimately lost this game for them. Fox had an amazing second half and finished with 37 points. The Kings only had six turnovers and down the stretch did not take advantage of late fourth quarter open shots and offensive rebounds.
Tuesday night the Kings will take on the Boston Celtics in Sacramento. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
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