Kings' Stars Sound Off on Defensive Effort After Win vs. Lakers
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Following a couple of big time victories for the Sacramento Kings, players and coaches alike praised the defensive effort after taking down two of the best offenses in the league. The Kings managed to slow down the explosive Milwaukee Bucks, then took the court the following night to complete a season sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Back-to-backs aren't easy to handle for most teams, but it's a different story in Sacramento. In the last seven times they've had back-to-back games, the Kings have pulled out a win in the second leg six times. The most recent win against the Lakers can be accredited to a strong defensive performance, which is something that hasn't happened often for the Kings.
Sacramento ranks in the bottom ten of the league in terms of defensive rating since the All-Star break, but these struggles have improved after winning two consecutive games. One thing that stands out from these two wins is the starting lineup, which saw G Keon Ellis get two opportunities to shine after injuries took down Keegan Murray against the Bucks and Kevin Huerter against the Lakers.
Ellis remains undefeated as a starter this season, bringing his starting record to 6-0 on the year. In both of the wins against the Bucks and Lakers, the second-year guard forced three steals in an outstanding effort on the defensive side of the ball.
The Kings as a team forced 11 steals in each victory, displaying a completely changed mentality on defense. Domantas Sabonis has been key in leading the team and showed it last night after holding Anthony Davis under 40% from the field. Sabonis had this to say about what's improved in the Kings' recent defense (via @SeanCunningham | X):
I think our communication is getting better on defense. We know where everyone has to be and it's making it easier for us on our rotations.
Poor communication and rotations have killed Sacramento's morale in the past, but Sabonis feels things are changing on that end of the court.
SacTown's other superstar, De'Aaron Fox, didn't have his best game on the offensive end. That doesn't mean it was a bad performance though, as Fox held Lakers PG D'Angelo Russell to only six points. Fox was asked about the Kings' defense in the victory (via @SeanCunningham | X):
Being able to keep guys out of the paint, being able to keep LeBron and AD... that's a team that lives in the paint against every team in the league. When we're able to do that and keep them off the free-throw line as much as possible and continue to be physical, I think a lot of what we do offensively is fueled by our defense. As long as our defense is like that, I think we're in a great position.
While the Kings did keep the Lakers off the free-throw line as much as possible, HC Mike Brown wasn't as happy with the disparity in free throws between the two teams. The Lakers shot ten more charity shots than the Kings, and Brown took that to his post-game presser with anger.
Free-throws aside, Sacramento's defense has been energetic in the last few games. This trend will look to continue against the New York Knicks on Sunday.
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