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Cheers, claps and cowbells rang loudly in downtown Stockton on Friday night.
Energy was high at the Adventist Health Arena as the Stockton Kings, the NBA G League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings, defeated the Osceola Magic 144-126 during Game 2 of the NBA G League Finals.
Friday's game was part of a three-game series that began on April 8 at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida. The Kings lost against the Osceola Magic 129-118 in Game 1 of the NBA G League Finals.
On Friday night, fans cheered, "Let's go, Stockton! Let's go!" People donning black and purple clothing packed the stands during the sold-out game presented by YouTube TV.
With less than 3 minutes left in the first quarter and tied 30-all, the Stockton Kings went on an 11-2 run to take a 41-32 lead going into the second quarter. The Magic outscored the Kings 43-27 in the second period, helping them to take a 75-68 lead at the half.
In the third quarter, Kings guard Jon Elmore and forward Dexter Dennis each drained a three, giving Stockton a 110-104 lead. In the final period, the Kings were ahead by 23 points. They ended the night with a 144-126 victory.
Friday's win ties both teams with 1-1 in the three-game series, a Stockton Kings news release states.
The third game will be held on April 14 at the Silver Spurs Arena, according to the news release. For those who will be watching from Stockton, the game will also be on ESPN2.
Stockton Kings head coach Quinton Crawford told The Stockton Record during a post-game interview that the fans' support is appreciated.
"Please continue to support us. We need you like you could never imagine," Crawford said. "We love all you guys that show up to the games. Watch games on ESPNU ... and the ones that show up, we're super appreciative of everybody that supports us."
Crawford said that even though they had a plan going into the game, some adjustments had to be made.
"The offense rebounding, limiting their offense rebounding, locking out, that gave us the ability to run, get out and transition and put pressure on them early in the clock," Crawford said of what was key to Friday's victory.
He went on to say that he loves Stockton and how the community shows up for the team when they need it.
"We really needed them tonight. They played a major role in our run in the third quarter," Crawford said. "So happy that the community showed up."
Crawford said he was proud of the team's performance.
"These guys care. They care about winning," Crawford said. "That's all that matters to me. As long as they care about winning and they come out with the right attitude and mentality, we live with whatever happens."
Stockton Kings Stats on Friday night:
Osceola Magic Stats on Friday night:
Couples, families, and friends gathered in downtown for Friday's game.
Stockton couple Shelley Martinez and Chauncy Martin, who were repping the Kings at the Adventist Health Arena with team apparel, said their favorite Kings players are Mason Jones and Jon Elmore.
"They score a lot, they keep the game exciting," Martin told The Stockton Record ahead of the game on Friday.
"They hit those three pointers," Martinez added.
They predicted that the score would be close because "this Florida team is good," Martin said. While he got free tickets for the game through work, the couple keeps coming back because "it's been fun," he said.
Martinez said they have been to games the whole season, including the playoffs and the finals. She was confident that the Kings would win Friday's game, she said.
If the Kings win the finals, that would "put Stockton on the map," Martinez said.
It would also bring more fans to their games, Martin added.
Martin encouraged the community to attend Kings games, which he said are fun and safe for families.
"Tickets are reasonable, so there's no excuse not to come out and have some fun," Martinez said.
Father and daughter duo Billy Olpin and Kristie Holguín, who are season ticket holders, attended the game on Friday. They have been season ticket holders for about six years, Olpin said.
Olpin's prediction ahead of the game was that the game would be tight, and if the Kings won it would only be by a couple of points.
He said the team is doing "so good right now," with Mason Jones being one of his favorite players.
"Thank you for bringing a great game to town," Holguin told the Kings as the season comes to an end. "Hopefully we can really rally as a community and continue to ride this wave of just being proud Stocktonians and having pride in our community, and in continuing to keep that winning feeling going."
Olpin said if the Kings do win the finals, he hopes it will bring more support for the team.
"It's really packed tonight, but on the other games, not so much," Olpin said. "We'd hope it'll bring a lot more people out next season to see them every night."
Game 3, the last game of the series between the Stockton Kings and the Osceola Magic, will be live at 5 p.m. on April 14 from the Silver Spurs Arena.
Fans from Stockton can watch on ESPN2.
To learn more about the Stockton Kings, visit stockton.gleague.nba.com.
Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow
This article originally appeared on The Record: NBA G League Finals: Stockton Kings defeat Osceola Magic in Game 2
Continue reading...
Energy was high at the Adventist Health Arena as the Stockton Kings, the NBA G League affiliate of the Sacramento Kings, defeated the Osceola Magic 144-126 during Game 2 of the NBA G League Finals.
Friday's game was part of a three-game series that began on April 8 at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida. The Kings lost against the Osceola Magic 129-118 in Game 1 of the NBA G League Finals.
On Friday night, fans cheered, "Let's go, Stockton! Let's go!" People donning black and purple clothing packed the stands during the sold-out game presented by YouTube TV.
With less than 3 minutes left in the first quarter and tied 30-all, the Stockton Kings went on an 11-2 run to take a 41-32 lead going into the second quarter. The Magic outscored the Kings 43-27 in the second period, helping them to take a 75-68 lead at the half.
In the third quarter, Kings guard Jon Elmore and forward Dexter Dennis each drained a three, giving Stockton a 110-104 lead. In the final period, the Kings were ahead by 23 points. They ended the night with a 144-126 victory.
Friday's win ties both teams with 1-1 in the three-game series, a Stockton Kings news release states.
The third game will be held on April 14 at the Silver Spurs Arena, according to the news release. For those who will be watching from Stockton, the game will also be on ESPN2.
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Stockton Kings head coach Quinton Crawford told The Stockton Record during a post-game interview that the fans' support is appreciated.
"Please continue to support us. We need you like you could never imagine," Crawford said. "We love all you guys that show up to the games. Watch games on ESPNU ... and the ones that show up, we're super appreciative of everybody that supports us."
Crawford said that even though they had a plan going into the game, some adjustments had to be made.
"The offense rebounding, limiting their offense rebounding, locking out, that gave us the ability to run, get out and transition and put pressure on them early in the clock," Crawford said of what was key to Friday's victory.
He went on to say that he loves Stockton and how the community shows up for the team when they need it.
"We really needed them tonight. They played a major role in our run in the third quarter," Crawford said. "So happy that the community showed up."
Crawford said he was proud of the team's performance.
"These guys care. They care about winning," Crawford said. "That's all that matters to me. As long as they care about winning and they come out with the right attitude and mentality, we live with whatever happens."
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Stockton Kings Stats on Friday night:
- Guard Mason Jones, 27 points and 12 assists
- Center Skal Labissière, 26 points and 7 rebounds
- Forward Terry Taylor, 19 points and 10 rebounds
- Guard Jon Elmore, 16 points
- Forward Isaiah Crawford, 12 points
- Guard Dexter Dennis, 24 points
- Forward Brian Bowen II, 11 points and 10 rebounds
- Guard Chasson Randle, 9 points
Osceola Magic Stats on Friday night:
- Guard Mac McClung, 24 points
- Center Jalen Slawson, 23 points
- Forward Myron Gardner, 22 points
- Guard Alex Morales, 20 points
- Forward Ethan Thompson, 15 points
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'Proud Stocktonians'
Couples, families, and friends gathered in downtown for Friday's game.
Stockton couple Shelley Martinez and Chauncy Martin, who were repping the Kings at the Adventist Health Arena with team apparel, said their favorite Kings players are Mason Jones and Jon Elmore.
"They score a lot, they keep the game exciting," Martin told The Stockton Record ahead of the game on Friday.
"They hit those three pointers," Martinez added.
They predicted that the score would be close because "this Florida team is good," Martin said. While he got free tickets for the game through work, the couple keeps coming back because "it's been fun," he said.
Martinez said they have been to games the whole season, including the playoffs and the finals. She was confident that the Kings would win Friday's game, she said.
If the Kings win the finals, that would "put Stockton on the map," Martinez said.
It would also bring more fans to their games, Martin added.
Martin encouraged the community to attend Kings games, which he said are fun and safe for families.
"Tickets are reasonable, so there's no excuse not to come out and have some fun," Martinez said.
You must be registered for see images attach
Father and daughter duo Billy Olpin and Kristie Holguín, who are season ticket holders, attended the game on Friday. They have been season ticket holders for about six years, Olpin said.
Olpin's prediction ahead of the game was that the game would be tight, and if the Kings won it would only be by a couple of points.
He said the team is doing "so good right now," with Mason Jones being one of his favorite players.
"Thank you for bringing a great game to town," Holguin told the Kings as the season comes to an end. "Hopefully we can really rally as a community and continue to ride this wave of just being proud Stocktonians and having pride in our community, and in continuing to keep that winning feeling going."
Olpin said if the Kings do win the finals, he hopes it will bring more support for the team.
"It's really packed tonight, but on the other games, not so much," Olpin said. "We'd hope it'll bring a lot more people out next season to see them every night."
How to watch Stockton Kings vs. Osceola Magic Game 3
Game 3, the last game of the series between the Stockton Kings and the Osceola Magic, will be live at 5 p.m. on April 14 from the Silver Spurs Arena.
Fans from Stockton can watch on ESPN2.
To learn more about the Stockton Kings, visit stockton.gleague.nba.com.
Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow
This article originally appeared on The Record: NBA G League Finals: Stockton Kings defeat Osceola Magic in Game 2
Continue reading...
