The Sacramento Kings’ struggles with three-point defense reared their ugly head once again in a 108-102 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite the Blazers entering the game as one of the league’s worst three-point shooting teams, they managed to exceed their season averages significantly against the Kings.
Portland, ranked 25th in made threes per game and 27th in three-point percentage, knocked down 16 threes at a 40% clip. This performance was 6% higher than their season average. Anfernee Simons, typically a 36% three-point shooter, torched the Kings with 30 points on 8-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc.
This defensive breakdown isn’t an isolated incident. Just the night before, the Kings allowed the Orlando Magic, the NBA’s worst three-point shooting team, to shoot over 50% from deep. It’s becoming increasingly clear that the Kings’ perimeter defense is a systemic issue rather than a string of bad luck.
Offensively, the Kings struggled to find their rhythm, scoring only 102 points. The newly acquired Zach LaVine showed improvement from his debut, notching 22 points on 8-of-19 shooting. However, the team’s offensive output remains a concern, averaging just 106.5 points in the two games since LaVine’s arrival.
The absence of De’Aaron Fox’s dynamic presence is palpable. Even when Fox wasn’t scoring at his usual clip, his threat as a penetrator opened up opportunities for teammates. The current lineup, featuring LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Malik Monk, is still finding its footing.
Jonas Valančiūnas made his Kings debut, providing valuable minutes as a backup center. His presence gives Sacramento a reliable option when Domantas Sabonis is in foul trouble or needs rest. Valančiūnas’ solid screens and rebounding should prove beneficial moving forward.
The Kings’ roster construction remains a point of concern. The team’s defensive woes persist despite changes in coaching and personnel. As the Western Conference playoff race heats up, Sacramento needs to address these issues quickly to avoid falling further behind in the standings.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Kings’ recent performance, tune into the Locked On Kings podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Kings Podcast:
• Analysis of Zach LaVine’s integration into the Kings’ offense
• The impact of De’Aaron Fox’s absence on team dynamics
• Jake LaRavia trade acquisition and potential roster moves
