As the saying goes, defense wins championships.
And even though Mike Brown and Co. are still a long way from hoisting a trophy, the Kings’ defense played a crucial role in their 123-89 victory over an injury-riddled Toronto Raptors team on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena.
For the third time in Sacramento’s last five games, the Kings held their opponent to fewer than 100 points, closing a gap in their game and, in turn, adding a valuable tool to their arsenal.
“For us, I think it’s just about learning how to win in different ways,” Barnes told reporters. “I think some of those games were a little slower.
“[They] It’s not necessarily the pace we like to play at, but we understand that come playoff time it’s going to be more physical. We need to value ownership with a higher level of care, and that’s what it’s going to come down to.
With Domantas Sabonis recording his 24th triple-double of the season against the Raptors, De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk firing on all cylinders, offensive firepower appears to be the least of the Kings’ concerns.
But the same couldn’t be said for Sacramento’s play on the other end of the floor — until recently.
Behind the inspired defensive play of Keon Ellis, who remains in the starting role while Kevin Huerter suffers from a shoulder injury, and a communicative unity on the court, the Kings are continually refining a wrinkle in their game that has cost many victories, while allowing Sacramento stars to feel a sense of support.
“I’m thinking about more communication,” Ellis told reporters. “The guys are in their place. Knowing that playing better defense leads to easier points, I think we locked down the defensive side more.
“That way you get a stop, you create a turnover. Now, as I said earlier, [to] create easier points for the team, this way we are not always in the half court and trying to create and put a lot of pressure [De’Aaron Fox] And [Domantas Sabonis] create for us.
“I really think [it’s] we talk and help each other…”
Sacramento was able to hold Toronto, which entered Wednesday’s game averaging 113.7 points per game this season, to a season-low 89 points on 41.3 percent shooting from the field. .
While the Kings’ game appears to be finding more balance, Sacramento goaltender Chris Duarte acknowledges the team is in transition.
“[We’re] it’s just getting better,” Duarte told NBC Sports California’s Morgan Ragan and Chelsea Gray on “Kings Postgame Live.” “We keep improving. We just continue to play our game.
“We continue to play fast. And we continue to play hard. That’s it.”
Now, with the Kings sitting in 6th place in the Western Conference standings with 14 games remaining in the regular season, the question now becomes whether Sacramento’s defense can find consistency, similar to the consistent production of Sabonis and Monk this season.
If so, perhaps the Kings defense can continue to pick up wins for a team that has high playoff hopes.
