Ten observations from watching Hawks at Kings on TV . . .
- The Kings are one of the worst defensive teams in the league but the Hawks couldn't take advantage. Not with Dennis Schroder sitting and their two best remaining veterans, Taurean Prince and Dewayne Dedmon, combining for 20 points. (Those two played just 22 and 26 minutes, respectively, in this draft lottery showdown.) The Hawks trailed by eight points going into the final period and never got the advantage below seven.
- The Hawks had a dismal 46.4 effective field-goal percentage, earned just 18 free throws (12 makes) and gave up 12 offensive rebounds. Meanwhile the Kings made 10 of 21 three-point tries. Prince's Kings counterpart, Justin Jackson, went for 20 points on eight shots (4-for-4 on threes) in 26 minutes.
- The Hawks' ragtag bench group couldn't keep up with its counterparts. Sacramento's two best bench guys, Kosta Koufos and Buddy Hield, combined for 30 points on 24 shots. Kings reserves outscored Atlanta's 59-31.
- Full disclosure: I didn't watch much of the first quarter. Instead, I was writing about the game delay because of the police shooting protest that moved from a downtown interstate to outside of the arena. Kings officials closed the arena doors and wouldn't let fans in or out while telling those still outside to go home.
- On Fox Sports Southeast Bob Rathbun said the atmosphere was "unnerving" just before tipoff. Sacramento Bee Kings beat writer Jason Jones reported on Twitter that fans were invited to sit in the lower bowl and offered free snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.
- Those events overshadowed what had been the biggest Hawks news of the day: Schroder was a late, healthy scratch. It's the first time this season Schroder didn't play when not listed with an injury. (Daily fantasy sports Twitter did not like this development.) Sacramento's leading scorer, Zach Randolph, was out because of illness.
- Isaiah Taylor started in place of Schroder and continued his recent stretch of solid offensive production: 18 points on 10 shots, three assists, one turnover. Taylor gave the Kings problems with his quickness and aggresiveness. Josh Magette ran point for 22 minutes and was fine: five points on six shots, three assists, one turnover, three turnovers.
- Damion Lee had another productive, efficient night: 13 points on eight shots, four assists, two turnovers, three steals. Lee is a smart and tough player. His game is much more mature than when he was at Louisville. Lee is 25-years old and the Hawks are overflowing with wing prospects, but it will be interesting to see if they give Lee a look this summer. (More full disclosure: I'm a native of Louisville, lifelong fan of the Cardinals and an alumnus of the university.)
- Miles Plumlee was in the power rotation for the second straight game with John Collins (ankle) out. Plumlee again struggled to hang on to the ball and make good decisions with it (three turnovers).
- The protest delay, mostly-empty arena and key missing players made for a strange game to watch. But basketball junkies could get some satisfaction out of watching unfinished lottery picks, fringe guys and vets in contract years play hard (if not always well). Also Vince Carter, 41 years-old, played 23 minutes
About the Author
Keep Reading
The Latest
