Kings Fall to the Grizzlies 97-86
By: Morgan Ragan
The Kings are 2-7 after falling to the Memphis Grizzlies Sunday afternoon at Sleep Train Arena.
"It was one of those games we couldn't hit any shots. We took good shots. We let our offense dictate our defense," Greivis Vasquez said following the Kings 97-86 loss to the Memphis.
Sacramento has dropped 12 of 14 games to the Grizzlies.
Zach Randolph scored nine of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and added 10 rebounds. The Grizzlies shot over 55 percent while they held the Kings to 38 percent shooting.
Head coach Michael Malone started Luc Mbah a Moute rather than John Salmons. Salmons ended up playing more minutes and scoring 10 points off the bench and Mbah a Moute added four.
"I find myself constantly searching for the group that will go out there and play the right way," Malone said during his postgame press conference.
Travis Outlaw helped the Kings rally in the second half scoring 11 points in his seven minutes in the third quarter. The Kings pulled within nine points headed into the fourth quarter.
"Like coach said we have to change the culture," Outlaw said after finishing the game with 18 points. "Nobody said it was going to be easy so we just have to continue to work."
Analysis:
The Kings just aren't making their shots. They are getting decent looks but are shooting 42 percent from the field on the season.
The team keep talks about putting forth the effort and that is what we are seeing. If they want to win games—it's not rocket science—they just have to put the ball in the hole. Whether it's more practice or more focus that needs to take place, I'm sure Malone will make it happen.
DeMarcus Cousins who came into the game averaging 22.8 points had nine points in 19 minutes. Cousins has stepped up as a team leader and has worked on his body language but the team needs him physically dominating for 48 minutes. He is Sacramento's biggest weapon and they can't afford a night for him not to show up.
You can hear Morgan with Deuce & J-Ross from 12-3 p.m. on KHTK. Follow her on Twitter: @momoragan
