Field Level Media
Jan 7, 2020
Trevor Ariza contributed 3-pointers to second- and third-quarter runs Monday night that allowed the host Sacramento Kings to pull away from the Golden State Warriors for a 111-98 blowout, in a game that saw the ejection of Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
Buddy Hield and De'Aaron Fox led five players, including two reserves, in double figures with 21 points apiece as the Kings made quick work of their opponent on the opening night of a back-to-back. Sacramento visits Phoenix on Tuesday.
In dropping its fifth straight, Golden State scored the game's first six points and hung within 26-19 through one period before the Kings' run-away began.
Ariza, who had totaled just 10 points in his previous three games, bombed in a pair of 3-pointers among eight points as the Kings began the second period with a 15-7 burst to open a 41-26 lead.
Kerr was given the heave-ho shortly thereafter, drawing bang-bang technical fouls for arguing with the referees with his team down 49-36.
The margin was just 12 at halftime before the hosts went on another quarter-opening spree, this time with Hield leading a 21-7 surge with two 3-pointers and a total of eight points. Ariza also nailed a 3-pointer in the run, which produced a 73-47 lead midway through the third period.
The Warriors, who were held to 79 points in an earlier home loss to their Northern California rival, were never appreciably closer over the game's final 18 minutes.
Ariza finished with a season-best 18 points, aided by 4-for-6 shooting on 3-pointers.
The Kings made half their 30 3-point attempts in the game, outscoring Golden State 45-15 from beyond the arc.
Harrison Barnes also had 18 for the Kings, while Cory Joseph chipped in with 12 and Nemanja Bjelica eight to go with a game-high 10 rebounds.
Glenn Robinson III had a team-high 16 points for the Warriors, who rested Draymond Green while also going without D'Angelo Russell (sore shoulder) for the fourth consecutive game.
Omari Spellman added 13 points, Eric Paschall 12 and Alec Burks 10 for the Warriors, who made only five of their 26 3-point attempts and were outshot 48.1 percent to 39.5 overall.
--Field Level Media