It was cold in Chicago, but how hot were the Kings against the Bulls?
CHICAGO – Here are three takeaways from the Kings’ 108-89 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night at United Center: Fox catches fire The Kings trailed by 13 early in the third quarter following a frustrating first half in which De’aaron Fox and Buddy Hield combined for five points on 1-of12 shooting. That’s when Fox and Hield caught fire.
The scoring barrage started quietly enough with two free throws from Fox. He followed that trip to the line with an emphatic transition dunk, a 3-pointer from the right wing, another 3 from the top of the arc and then a lightningquick crossover that resulted in an uncontested floater in the lane.
The Kings still trailed by two before Hield checked into the game and drilled a 3-pointer, giving his team a 75-74 lead. Hield then hit another 3 while falling to the floor, and Fox buried one from the corner in front of the Bulls’ bench, putting the Kings up 81-74.
After being held to 45 points in the first half, Sacramento scored 36 in the third quarter and 27 in the fourth.
Fox totaled 25 points, six assists and four rebounds for the Kings, who concluded their four-game trip with a 3-1 record. Bogdan Bogdanovic and Marvin Bagley III had 16 points apiece. Hield had 14 points. Willie Cauley-stein had 11 points and 16 rebounds.
The Kings still trailed by two before Hield checked into the game and drilled a 3-pointer, giving his team a 75-74 lead. Hield then hit
Nolan (1999-00) and Patrick Marleau (2009-10) as the fastest Sharks to reach 20 goals, hitting the mark in his 32nd game.
Radim Simek also got onto the goal-sheet for the Sharks, making it 3-1 at 7:19 of the second by scoring his first NHL goal. Tomas Hertl scored the Sharks fifth goal, his ninth, at 14:23 of the third. Pavelski earned his second point of the night with an assist on the goal.
Martin Jones earned the win in the goal crease, making 22 saves on 24 shots.
Jones gave up a softie to Drew Stafford at 12:05 of the first, allowing the puck to sneak through off an odd-angle shot from the sideboards, just above the goal line. Andy Greene netted the Devils second goal at 8:59 of the middle frame, scoring off a Devils rush.
The Sharks will return to action at SAP Center Thursday, completing a two-game homestand against the Dallas Stars.
Bagley III had 16 points apiece. Hield had 14 points. Willie Cauley-stein had 11 points and 16 rebounds.
The Kings signed Lavine to a fouryear, $78 million offer sheet in July, leaving the Bulls with two days to match the offer. The Bulls matched, and the Kings moved on to other free-agent targets.
Going into Monday’s game, Lavine was averaging 24 points, 5 rebounds and 4.9 assists. He was shooting 44.4 percent from the field but a career-low 30.9 percent from 3-point range.