Sacramento Kings were awful in the last three quarters against Dallas Mavericks

New viewing experience for me; as my League Pass on my computer wasn’t working last night, so I watched the condensed version/recap today, and I think it’s safe to say I’m glad I did as the 106-98 loss to the Dallas Mavericks was not pretty.

Watching the recap leaves a lot to be desired, you can’t get into the flow of the game, see what was really working or not working (defense in this one), or who is the guy(s) who changed the outcome of the game, but I do think it is something I can use to help me see what is going on around the league and see teams and players I don’t always have time to watch full games of. What I can provide are some quick notes and observations that struck me while watching.

DeMarcus Cousins is key to Kings

After last night, Ben McLemore is on a shooting streak that I never thought I would see from the kid while he threw up brick after brick last year. 11-23 from three in the last four, are you freaking kidding me. I don’t even know what to do with my eyes, though I should probably get them checked because I am for sure seeing something that isn’t there.
The best part of last night and the previous three games as well is the confidence Ben seems to be gaining. Last year, the shots were constantly rushed, almost like “oh shit, I’m open, I should shoot,” while this year they are looking more and more natural. Now he needs to stop getting lost on defense so much – Baby steps Ryan.
Speaking of the defense, my god were the last three quarters awful. After giving up 14 points on 23% shooting, the Mavs scored 94 points over the last 3 quarters while letting the Mavs rain in 43% of their threes. Obviously the condensed version didn’t allow me to see the multitude of defensive breakdowns, but what I did see was not good. Now it must be noted that the Mavs do have the best offense in the league and seemed to be playing on a whole different level at times over the last three quarters, but still.
The rotations were just too slow on the multitude of pick and rolls the Mavs ran with their speed demon ball handlers, Monta Ellis and Devin Harris, and when a team like the Mavs continually sees openings caused by that, it will be bad. Especially when you go against a team that can be so well balanced in scoring (6 Mavs in double figures last night), you must bring your ‘A’ game defensively to compete on the road.
Congrats to Dirk for moving into 9th on the all time scoring list. He had a sublime 23 points on 12 shots last night.
While Boogie has done a good job so far of keeping his attitude in check and not getting any technical fouls so far, he hasn’t been able to keep his common fouls in check. Did you know that he has two out of eight games so far this year with less than five fouls? While I knew he’s seemingly been fouling more than ever, it needs to be curbed as he’s missing more and more time on the court because of it.
I’m not one of those fanboys who realistically thinks the Kings can challenge for a playoff spot, but they should be striving for 35-40 wins, and that is not going to happen if the Boggieman is not playing. The Kings are +14 per 100 possessions while Boogie is on the court this year while the exact opposite when he sits and yesterday was no different as the Kings outscored the Mavs by eight while he was out there. In my mind, if he stayed on the court last night for 35 minutes, the Kings would have won.
Last thought, the Kings power forward position is going to give me sore eyes this year. JT is JT, just inconsistent as they come, Carl Landry will be a good bench addition, though last night he had a rough one as he was pressed into a little more work that he should be, and Derrick Williams, well, sigh. That guy is just tough to watch and I think it will be better if Mike Malone keeps him tied to the bench like last night.