In “back-to-back” after their great victory the day before in Phoenix, the Nuggets woke up a bit too late to hope to win in Sacramento. However, like against the Rockets and the Suns, they had gotten off to a very good start. Aaron Gordon is back, and Nikola Jokic is eating Domantas Sabonis, and anything else that comes his way. After 12 minutes, the Nuggets lead 30-25, and Jokic is already at 16 points!
Alongside him, Aaron Gordon brings intimidation in defense, but he is also the one who plays the pass-and-go with Michael Porter Jr. in an attack that is as fluid as ever.
Everything is going well for the Nuggets until Nikola Jokic rests. And there, it's the black hole for the NBA champions… In five minutes, they concede a terrible 19-4, and from 32-27 in favor of Denver, the score goes to 46-34 for Sacramento. At the forefront, the “Kentucky Connection” with De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk who alternate between caviars for JaVale McGee and long shots. The duo stunned the Nuggets, and De'Aaron Fox punctuated his good half with a last-second basket (64-50).
Malik Monk decisive
Upon returning from the locker room, the Nuggets then embark on a chase. Well served by Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon goes to crush the baseline circle, and Christian Braun brings his usual madness into the game. He is imitated by the young Payton Watson and Julian Strawther, and at the start of the last quarter -time, the Nuggets returned to -5 (90-85). Nikola Jokic can then return to the game to attempt the perfect heist. He finds the ideal accomplice in Reggie Jackson. The two find themselves with their eyes closed, and the leader brings the Nuggets to -3 (108-105) four minutes from the end.
Mike Brown has no choice but to put Malik Monk back into play in place of a still disappointing Keegan Murray. The 6th man of the Kings will be the hero of “money time”. It's first he who goes to score a “floater” with the board to give back a little air (110-105), then it's him again who plants the 3-pointer which makes the whole team breathe. room (117-110) with 70 seconds remaining. During the time-out, the audience stands up and sings the famous “Light The Beam”. They were right since the Kings won 123-117.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The turning point of the match. After an exceptional first quarter, Nikola Jokic logically rested, and the Kings immediately took advantage of it to go 19-4 in a few minutes. A passage during which JaVale McGee was very valuable with a tap, a dunk and a little “hook shot” of which he has the secret.
– End of series. After four victories in a row, including two away, the Nuggets are stopped in their tracks. The NBA champions have not won three games in a row on the road since the playoffs.
– 100 years of a team. It was in 1923 that the Rochester Seagrams, the ancestors of the Royals, who later became the Sacramento Kings. This new evening was dedicated to them, and the Kings played with the colors of their elders, and this famous… royal blue.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
