Kings Fall to the Clippers in Overtime
By: Morgan Ragan
The Kings fell to the Clippers for the third time this season in a 104-98 overtime loss on Friday night at Sleep Train Arena.
"We don't play them again until the last week of the season and maybe by then we will figure out how to get a win against them," head coach Michael Malone said postgame.
Sacramento has dropped 12 of 14 against the Clippers.
"Our guys played so hard, I put this loss on me," Malone said. "I have to do a better job of not allowing one player like Jamal Crawford to win the game for them."
With Chris Paul sitting out due to a sore hamstring, Crawford was unstoppable as he scored a season-high of 31 points and dished out 11 assists for the Clippers.
Derrick Williams—the second overall pick in the 2011 draft—got the start for Sacramento after he was acquired from Minnesota on Wednesday in a deal that sent forwad Luc Mbah A Moute to Minnesota.
Due to limited minutes in Minnesota playing behind all-star Kevin Love, Williams was unable to find consistent minutes. Malone said Williams will get an opportunity to play a lot for the Kings.
Williams finished with 12 points, four assists and six boards in his debut and showed off his athleticism with multiple alley-oop dunks.
"We went and got him for a reason," Malone said. "He'll get better as he gets more games under his belt as a King and it excites me because I know he is only going to get better as he plays."
Analysis:
The Kings acquisition of Derrick William will be a great boost to the offense. He brings great athleticism and versatility. With time he will become more comfortable with his teammates and gain more confidence when shooting the ball.
DeMarcus Cousins is still proving why he is one of the best big men in the league. Playing against a chippy Clippers team, Cousins continuesto show improvement with his maturity on the floor and scored 25 points, grabbed nine boards and added six assists. Cousins has finished with six-plus assists in each of the last three games.
The Kings fall to 4-10 overall and continue their four game homestand when they take on the 9-8 Golden State Warriors this Sunday at Sleep Train Arena.
You can hear Morgan with Deuce & J-Ross from 12-3 p.m. on KHTK. Follow her on Twitter: @momoragan
