De’Aaron Fox had another monster scoring game, but didn’t get any help as the Sacramento Kings lost on the road to the Memphis Grizzlies, 122-105, on New Year’s Day.
Fox followed up his 49-point OT effort against Utah by scoring 46 in regulation against the Grizzlies. He made 18 of 25 shots, including three three-pointers, and went 7-for-7 from the line. But only two other Kings scored in double-figures, none more than Domantas Sabonis’ 14 (plus 10 rebounds for his 19th double-double).
Ja Morant had a big game for Memphis, as he made 17 of 25 shots and scored 37 points. He also had plenty of help with four teammates scoring in double-figures, including 20 by Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Kings’ defense was poor, as the Grizzlies shot 58.2% from the field. The Kings (20-15 replay vs. 19-16 real life) finished at 44.9% (take away Fox and the rest of the Kings shot 29.7%).
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The Kings took a couple of four-point leads early, and those would be their biggest of the game. Memphis led by as many as five at 19-14, though the first quarter would end tied at 24.
Kevin Huerter scored the opening basket of the second quarter, though that would turn out to be the last Kings’ lead of the game. Memphis outscored Sacramento 35-19 in the period. An 8-0 run that included three-pointers by Jackson and Tus Jones made it a 10-point lead at 40-30. Memphis led by 18 late in the quarter and it was 59-43 at halftime.
After scoring 12 points in the first half, Fox went off in the third quarter, scoring 19 points. But the Kings could only match the Grizzlies with 33 points apiece. After falling behind by 22 at 67-45 early in the quarter, the Kings got no closer than 13 points at 71-58. It was 92-76 heading into the final period.
Fox put up 15 more points in the fourth quarter, but once again, the teams played to a stand-still, Memphis holding a 30-29 edge. The closest the Kings got was 14 points, while the Grizzlies took their biggest lead of the game, 23 points, at 112-89.
This game was played with Bank Shot Basketball.
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