Mavericks at Kings
The Sacramento Kings aim to bounce back from a humiliating collapse when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. Sacramento led by 25 points entering the fourth quarter on Tuesday before being outscored 45-18 over the final 12 minutes and losing 123-121 to visiting Brooklyn.
The devastating setback leaves the Kings seven games out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 12 contests left to play and came at a time when the squad knows every game is must-win. "We relaxed and were very casual," Sacramento coach Dave Joerger told reporters. "Didn't run back on defense, turned the ball over a ton and took a lot of jump shots because we thought it was going to be easy." Dallas has dropped 14 of its last 16 games as it opened a three-game road trip with a 126-118 loss in Portland on Wednesday. "We have to shake this off and get down to Sacramento," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told reporters after his squad fell to 6-29 on the road.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (Dallas), NBCS California (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS (28-43): Justin Jackson made three 3-pointers and scored 21 points against Portland after averaging just 3.3 over the previous six games, and his played impressed Carlisle. "It is time to give him a look with a longer stretch of minutes," Carlisle told reporters. "He created movement with cutting and finishing in the paint. And he banged in some 3s." Carlisle also complimented the play of reserve guard Trey Burke, who scored 15 points for his second double-figure effort in the last three games.
ABOUT THE KINGS (34-36): Sacramento is playing itself out of contention with 10 losses in 14 games as its postseason drought appears set to be stretched to 13 seasons. Rookie Marvin Bagley III is making an impact as he scored 28 points on 12-of-15 shooting against Brooklyn and has topped 20 in six of his last 13 games. The 2018 second overall draft pick is averaging 24.5 points on 21-of-29 shooting over his last two contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Kings have won seven of the last 10 meetings, including a 120-113 road victory on Dec. 16.
2. Dallas rookie SF Luka Doncic scored 24 points against Portland and has topped 20 in eight of his last 11 games.
3. Sacramento SG Buddy Hield missed all eight of his 3-point attempts on Tuesday and remains nine shy of the franchise's single-season record held by Peja Stojakovic (240 in 2003-04).