I’ll have to admit I was a little disappointed they lost, I kind of expected with the way they have been progressing that they would win and there would be a whole lot of complaining on the forum. But I also understand the importance of a high draft pick (just not obsessed with it as the magic solution to all that ails the Kings) so after the game, the losses don't bother me too much.
Both teams didn't really appear to be in “tank mode”, they both played hard, but ineptly, almost no defense by either team.
Until the 4th quarter, the Kings were executing their offense relatively well. That 6-minute stretch of total offensive ineptitude to start the first 4th quarter killed the Kings chances. There was no ball movement and no movement without the ball.
The Kings first 3 offensive possessions of the quarter ended with Z-Bo and Carter taking deep 3’s. The next two possessions ended in turnovers followed by two possessions that ended with off balance shots by Buddy and then Temple. They finally got some ball movement and nice passing from WCS to Hill, but they had waited too long to get into the offense and still wound up with an off balance shot from Buddy
Jackson and Fox came in at the 8:03 mark and on the next two possessions, Jackson actually got two pretty nice looks from 3. His feet were set and the shots were not rushed they just didn’t fall.
During all this time, the Mavs were scoring at will, 16 – 0.
Finally, Fox broke the scoring draught with a pull up jumper at the 6:08 mark, the first points of the quarter. Fox scored the first 3 Kings baskets of the quarter, assisted on a 4th (assist to WCS), and added 1 of 2 FT.
Positives were the way Fox played, especially the way he took charge in the 4th quarter and got the stalled offense functioning again.
Jackson looked good the whole game, the two shots he took in that 4th quarter didn’t fall, but they were quality shots, he played good defense, and got robbed of an “and one” basket by a bad call.
Joerger took Z-Bo out less than 2 minutes into the 4th and did not go back to him even when the Kings offense stalled. Normally Z-Bo is the go to guy for Joerger when he needs to kick start the offense, but he let the guys on the floor attempt to play through it.
Willie wasn’t spectacular, but looked ok and at times seemed to be the only one on the floor playing any defense. I believe the knee issue is still affecting his mobility, but at least he is playing through it.