Hornets Handle Kings, 99-85

The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Sacramento Kings, 99-85, at Golden 1 Center
on Saturday afternoon. The Hornets (25-33) have been playing without the
services of starting center Cody Zeller since late January due to his calf
injury, but his absence has come with a silver lining. Second-year big man Frank
Kaminsky III had taken the opportunity afforded him and parlayed it into a
string of impressive performances, with the most recent having come in
Saturday’s contest against the new-look Kings (25-34). Kaminsky posted a
23-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included three assists and two
steals to lead the way for Charlotte, his fifth straight double-digit scoring
effort and third double-double in the last seven contests. His efforts on the
glass spearheaded a 50-41 rebounding advantage for the visitors as they
dominated a Sacramento team that clearly misses the departed DeMarcus Cousins on
the glass. Marvin Williams followed Kaminsky with 16 points, six rebounds, two
steals and one block. Nicolas Batum followed with 15 points, six boards, three
assists, one steal and one block. Marco Belinelli paced the bench with 13
points, six assists, two rebounds and one steal. Kemba Walker provided 12
points, six assists, three rebounds and one steal in a supporting role that was
somewhat uncharacteristic. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist couldn’t muster much on the
scoreboard with only six points but made up for it by hauling in 12 boards. With
Cousins now in New Orleans, it could well be a different player taking the
offensive lead every night in Sacramento. Saturday was Ben McLemore’s turn, as
the two-guard led the way with 18 points, two rebounds and one steal.
Newly-acquired Buddy Hield had his second strong effort in as many games in a
Kings uniform, posting a bench-leading 15 points, as well as two assists and one
rebound. Anthony Tolliver and Tyreke Evans produced matching 11-point efforts,
with the latter making his debut in the starting five. Tolliver added four
boards and one assist, while Evans supplemented his scoring with five rebounds,
five assists and a pair of blocks. Darren Collison was quiet by his standards,
offering a modest 10 points, along with five assists, two rebounds and one
steal. Promising rookie Skal Labissiere, now part of the rotation in the wake of
Cousins’ departure, supplied eight points, 13 rebounds, one assist and one steal
in 23 minutes off the bench. The Hornets continue their trip through California
with a visit to Los Angeles for a Sunday night date with the Clippers, while the
Kings tangle with the Minnesota Timberwolves at home on Monday evening.