Kings @ Suns Tuesday game thread 1-16-2024

[BirdGangThing]

Thought all them 3s Grayson was shooting were for nothing - turned out we needed every single one of them

For those who don't know - Grayson Allen was that very untradable premature grey hair Ted Cruz looking guy who couldn't miss again tonight

 

[Mainstreet]

Pendant on

Gotta wear that pendant from now on. That was a tremendous win.

Hopefully the Suns got the monkey off their back. Obviously not your monkey. That was good luck.

 

[clyde2tw]

A few of their guys hit some contested 3s that’s what makes it tough when you play de ent to good D then they make crazy shot anyway. They definitely need to be more consistent on D but they did at times and it still didn’t stop them.

We have been improving over the season, for sure. But just too many avoidable mistakes that stop our momentums.

 

[Mainstreet]

Listen to the crowd. They had been waiting for this moment.

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[Mainstreet]

Kevin Durant was like the fans about the win.

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[Mainstreet]

From Sacramento's perspective... a stunning collapse for the Kings.

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[Suns_fan69]

I'll have to go back and rewatch the 4th. The offense felt much better, not sure if that was just Kings discombobulation with 5 shooters out there or if Phoenix was doing something different compared to other 4th quarters. I know they started pretty poorly, there was one play in particular that had exactly one pass and resulted in a contested KD three that was just a terrible offensive possession.

 

[GatorAZ]

From Sacramento's perspective... a stunning collapse for the Kings.

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The Kings are a dumb team when the 3’s don’t fall. They choke a lot of games away. Kinda crazy their record is what it is despite being 17th in net rating. I can’t stop picturing Fox in purple and Orange.

 

[Mainstreet]

I'll have to go back and rewatch the 4th. The offense felt much better, not sure if that was just Kings discombobulation with 5 shooters out there or if Phoenix was doing something different compared to other 4th quarters. I know they started pretty poorly, there was one play in particular that had exactly one pass and resulted in a contested KD three that was just a terrible offensive possession.

Here are the highlights of the last 5 minutes of the game thanks to ESPN.

Suns 119-117 Kings (Jan 16, 2024) Game Recap - ESPN

Expert recap and game analysis of the Phoenix Suns vs. Sacramento Kings NBA game from January 16, 2024 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

 

[mjb21aztd]

Just ridiculous. This team. Sheesh. Crazy.

Better than watchin the other az pro team uhhh 420 rip suns best suns cback ive watched!!

 

[clyde2tw]

I'll have to go back and rewatch the 4th. The offense felt much better, not sure if that was just Kings discombobulation with 5 shooters out there or if Phoenix was doing something different compared to other 4th quarters. I know they started pretty poorly, there was one play in particular that had exactly one pass and resulted in a contested KD three that was just a terrible offensive possession.

We still are not well prepared for double teaming on the top. Only late did we go to KD on the low post once, with pass out of double team that resulted in made pts. And KD got subbed out soon after. There are a lot of details to work on. We can't just rely on one-on-one scoring ability under contest by our big 3.

 

[95pro]

The one game I didn’t watch this season. Checked the halftime score and figured we were done. Check the final and shocked by a 2 pt win.

Some here are finally noticing the negative side of Nurk despite his boards and points.

 

[Chaplin]

The one game I didn’t watch this season. Checked the halftime score and figured we were done. Check the final and shocked by a 2 pt win.

Some here are finally noticing the negative side of Nurk despite his boards and points.

Give me a break. I hate "I told you so" posts.

 

[Covert Rain]

OMG. Just finished on DVR. I was about to turn it off at the 7:54 mark when they were down by 20. Holy crap I am glad I didn’t. What a comeback and run at the end. Wow!

 

[Suns_fan69]

Also, have to give Vogel due credit here, he pulled the right strings to get the team a shot to win.

 

[SirStefan32]

Why can't they do this more consistently? Turn up the D, move the ball on the other side. This fourth quarter is exactly what this team is capable of!

 

[clyde2tw]

I just rewatched the 4th. Refs started to call moving picks that are the lunch Kings used to eat all the time. They called 4 of them to start the 4th, though they missed the one that led to Fox 3pt to make it a 22pt lead on us. Vogel stuck with Okogie who were crucial to many stops inlcuding a block on Monk and a couple moving pick calls, and subbed him out for Gordon at about 5'11'' left with still 16 pt deficit. With small-5 lineup, there is no PnR chances anymore for Kings.
Also, while Metu was in there early in the 4th, it's KD guarding Sabonis, Metu guarded Lyles or whoever their second biggest guy was. If Metu could be defensively more savvy!

 

[95pro]

Give me a break. I hate "I told you so" posts.

You’re being mean. That’s a personal attack…

 

[Dback Jon]

Lolololololololololol… of course that happens RIGHT AFTER I turn the game off.

So you’re the problem

 

[Muggz]

That's the kind of win that builds team chemistry.
Hoping this is the turning point we've been waiting for.

 

[Carolinacacti]

That's the kind of win that builds team chemistry.
Hoping this is the turning point we've been waiting for.

Every Suns fan is hoping this is the turning point

 

[Mainstreet]

Point Booker (16 points and 11 assists) was a huge part of the win as he distributed the ball to the right players.

Allen (29) did everything, pass, block shots and shoot. It was like having another Devin Booker on the court.

Durant (27) was cold-blooded knocking down those shots in the 4th quarter while Gordon came up clutch as well.

The Suns need more of this scrambling defense, which got them back in the game.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Suns lineup down the stretch for the win was:

Devin Booker
Grayson Allen
Bradley Beal
Eric Gordon
Kevin Durant

 

[1982baskets]

I said a few weeks back when the big 3 play, the coaching staff were talking about utilizing Durant as a 5. Some didn't believe me. It finally was tried and it looked really good on offense.

I recall the Warriors doing that with KD as well. One of the things it does is give you more speed to set up your offense to get quicker looks. Much much more spacing, as your 5 (in this case KD) can shoot 3s like no other 5 in the league. It's like having a unicorn at the 5. Going small to solve the scoring problems in the 4th is definitely an answer.

Now no way you can start KD at the 5, but it shows you one of the weaknesses we have with Nurk starting. It doesn't give us length at the rim or speed defensively to cover ground. It also doesn't give us 3 point shooting and spacing. When there's more spacing, Beal and Book and others can get into the paint much easier. More paint touches = more open 3s.

If I'm Jones I'm seeing this and pushing to trade for a stretch 5 that has length and can rim protect. This will complement Nurk much more. Also we should defintely consider using KD like the Warriors would at times, as a closing 5. He has the length to play that spot, he just doesn't have the strength to defend the post.

 

[95pro]

The Suns lineup down the stretch for the win was:

Devin Booker
Grayson Allen
Bradley Beal
Eric Gordon
Kevin Durant

I feel we can’t play this too long and the “death” lineup should only be used to finish games with about 3 minutes left.