Buddy sets single season 3 point field goals made record for the Sacramento Kings, as they beat the Phoenix Suns at home 112-103.
Phoenix Suns 103 (17-57) vs. Sacramento Kings 112 (36-36)
The Sacramento Kings beat the Phoenix Suns at home to finish 3-1 on a home stand, with the only lose being against the Nets and the 4th quarter 25 point lead collapse. But tonight was Buddy’s night as he set the Kings single season 3 point record with 241. Here are comments from the game.
“It feels good…but just try to focus and try to finish the season strong. My teammates find me in good spots and some ones I had I wish I could get back but it’s part of the game. It’s fun, Peja has been a big part [of my progression] and just talking back and forth on things I need to accomplish and how I can be an effective scorer. Him and Vlade [Divac] are always in my ear and Bobby [Jackson] just constantly telling me how I can be effective. Hats off to them, they paved the way. Getting the record from Peja, he left a mark on this franchise and it’s pretty big and it’s something special. I hope I can keep it for many years but there is always going to be some other kid that is going to come up and break records, that’s how history [is].” Says Buddy Hield durnig a post game interview session.
When being asked if the record was a distraction and if he will trash talk Peja he responds. ““It’s just the media talking about me and I try to not let it distract me. Just go out there and play free but as humans we all think about it.” Then adding “
“Oh, facts. He is always talking [trash]. Peja is one of the most confident guys and he talks the most [trash]. I don’t know who talks the most [trash] between him and Vlade – I talk a little [trash] but I have to be respectful. Sometimes he gets a little sensitive as he tells me. It’s fun, man. I love those guys and it’s fun to be around and work with those guys”
“Nice way to finish up a nice homestand. I think when you look over the course of the four games, to go 3- 1, big difference between obviously being 3-1 and 2-2. By and large there were a lot more good quarters than there were not as good – obviously the catastrophic one there against Brooklyn – but I feel like we’re playing hard and making some mistakes, we’re making some fatigue mistakes. We got locked in there in the second half – we talked about at halftime, we were turning the basketball over too much, they got too many offensive rebounds and we weren’t doing a great job of finishing in the paint.” Says Kings Head Coach Dave Joerger after the win against the Suns.
The Sacramento Kings are back at .500 on the season as they defeat the Phoenix Suns 112-103 in front of their 25 th sellout crowd at Golden 1 Center.
“They played a lot of zone, confused us at times but once we got in a little rhythm there, we were better. I thought Nemanja [Bjelica] just had a terrific game for us, getting rebounds in traffic, cutting against the zone, making a couple shots, playing with the pass and promoting that – we got a couple threes out of (when) he started the driving game a little bit. De’Aaron [Fox] was terrific in the second half.” Joerger also pointed out in his post game press conference.
The Kings faced as much as a 14-point deficit in the first quarter after the Suns would go on a 19-0 run to take a 19-5 lead with 7:36 to go in the opening quarter. In that time frame, Devin Booker would score 12 of the Suns’ 19 points. Down 48—34 with 3:55 left before halftime, Sacramento would go on a 13-0 run to cut the lead to 48-47 with :56.2 seconds left.
In the second half, Sacramento would outrebound the Suns 26-18, had an advantage on assists (14-12), steals (4-2), and three-point shooting as the Kings would shoot 9-of-17 from deep while the Suns shot 4-of- 18.
Sacramento shot 17-of-38 from three in the win. It is the fifth time in franchise history that the Kings have made 17 three’s in a game. It is also the third time this season alone in which the Kings have made at least 17 three’s in a single game. Previously, Sacramento made a franchise-high 20 three’s vs. Golden State (1/5/19) and also made 19 vs. Minnesota (12/12/18).
Buddy Hield shot 7-of-14 from three and 9-of-20 overall to finish with 25 points. Hield becomes the franchise-record holder in three’s made in a season.
“It’s a big part of our team that he can knock that shot down whenever. It’s good to have especially when you catch the ball and they’re doubling now and making different reads and being able to kick it out and have somebody that knocks them down is definitely good for us.”
He needed three coming into Saturday’s game to pass Peja Stojakovic with 240 three’s made in a season. Hield currently has 245 on the season.
“Really cool – he’s having a terrific year and a large part of our success has been his ability at different points in games where we’re struggling to score, he can just go create his own offense. And for him to do this, can you imagine? – it would take me like three, four weeks to get up 14 shots from three in a game.”
Marvin Bagley III earned his 15th double-double as a reserve this season as he scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.
“It’s basketball now. It’s slowing down and I’m just playing my game and not thinking too much. Just going out playing no matter what happens. Whatever happens, happens. That’s my mindset. Just go out and
play hard and everything else will take care of itself.”
Harrison Barnes had his season-high in his time as a member of the Kings with 25 points on 10-of-17 from the field and 5-of-8 from three. It is his sixth time this season with 10-made field goals and first as a Kings player.
Nemanja Bjelica grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds including a career-high 13 defensive rebounds. He scored 13 points to complete his ninth double-double of the season.
The Kings shot .424 percent from the field while holding the Suns to .409 percent from the field. Sacramento moves to 30-9 on the season when outshooting their opponent.
Suns guard Devin Booker notched his sixth 30-point, 10-assists game of the season. He ties Kyrie Irving for second most this season behind James Harden.
Phoenix shot .265 percent from the field. It is the 23rd time this season a Kings opponent has shot less than .300 percent from beyond the arc. The Kings are 16-7 in such games.
“I just love the game of basketball. I’m a fierce competitor, all that takes over more than anything when I’m out on the court. I’m going to try to do for my team. Even at this point in the season, all I’ve been asking for is health and I’m healthy. So, I love being out there, I love competing with whoever is on the floor with me at the time. I love trying to figure out how to get wins.”
Suns rookie center Deandre Ayton earned his 37 th double-double of the season. That ties Alvan Adams for most by a rookie in Phoenix franchise history.
“So, overall I’m pleased with Deandre’s activity, energy and engagement. Obviously, he made a couple mistakes in crunch time, which he has to learn from. Playing hard isn’t good enough and being active isn’t good enough. You have to play well, you have to be smart, and you have to be game, which he’s learning how to be.”