章節 58: Error 58

Harrison Barnes will set the tone from the beginning of the quarter with a small floating jump shot. With the foul, in addition to Millsap, he will convert the following free throw. Then he recovered a defensive rebound on a missed shot by Murray, ran in transition, and assisted Hield, who shot a three-pointer.

The Kings came within one point of the Nuggets, but Jokic, still in the plot, also managed a three-pointer on an assist from Murray.

Wharton asked the Kings players to play fast and be aware of the Nuggets' rhythm; there was no chance of winning. Hector will miss his three-point shot, and today is not his day in terms of shooting.

Barnes always will still put a float. Millsap answered with an assist from Jokic. The gap of now 4 points, and Jokic will find Michael Porter Jr., who makes his three-point shot. Hector took his third foul in the meantime.

But Hector was not discouraged after two points from Fox, the Kings led by only three points. He caused a foul on Millsap and got two free throws, both of which he converted. He made a good defense on Murray and recovered the reb after the missed shot. He interfered with Jokic enough to make him miss his attempt on the next possession, or he missed his shot. He still can't do it, but that doesn't mean he doesn't exist in attack.

Hield also caused a foul on one shot and made three free throws. Once all three were successful, the Kings came back to tie. 70-70. Everything has to be redone for the Nuggets, who until now controlled the game.

And Hector put the Kings ahead after an assist from Fox.

The Nuggets had to take a timeout not to let the Kings, full of confidence, regain momentum.

When Hield or Fox are not around, Hector's position becomes increasingly essential, but Wharton uses Hector as a game initiator as Jokic does but in a reduced way. He is now stable enough to stand up if necessary, even if he is unsuccessful in shooting today.

The game resumed with a basket by Millsap on an assist by Jokic. Today Jokic is a man on a mission. He will be all season besides.

The three-point action will end on a successful free throw. Fox will cause a foul from Murray in addition to putting the shot. Jokic will then place two points on a pick-and-roll.

Seconds later, after a three-point shot by Hield and a hook by Jokic, Hector fouled Whiteside.

Hector has observed and played against Jokic and learned, reflected, and summarized. Unlike his rookie season, the game seems slower, and he has more responsibility. With Vlade, he knows to read the game, making him more apt to use and create opportunities on the field. Although Jokic was unstoppable with five assists, the Kings led in the total score this quarter. At the time of its release, there was only a two-point gap.

Bjelica and Fox's 10 points, Barnes' early quarter-long attack, Hield's shots from a distance, and Hector's active defense. All these factors made the Kings go on a 36-24 run in the quarter.

Wharton is delighted because the Kings' real problem is defense. If the backcourt players are making efforts like today, it bodes well. Even though Whiteside's temperament is unique, he can only afford to have Hector lock down the entire court.

The Kings lead 89-84, but no one dares to say the win is in the pocket.

Hector did not return from the restart but two minutes after the start of the last quarter. From the outset, he put a jump shot from the free throw line on an assist from Barnes.

Both teams surrender the blows. Hector will take three rebounds in one minute, including an offensive rebound. And after a three-point shot by Hield, the Nuggets took a timeout. They no longer have a choice; they must react so as not to lose.

For a game, the final minutes of the fourth quarter is crucial; often, those minutes will become the key moments determining the outcome. And they are not deceived; the Kings, except for two free throws, will not put a shot, and the gap will reduce to 3 points only.

With 5 minutes to play, the Kings led 105-101, and Hector fouled a shot by Porter, who made the extra free throw. 105-102. Joseph replaces Hector, who is at six faults and will not play again. Fortunately, the Kings won the game in overtime 124-122, led by Barnes' 8 points during this period.