Kings Under Review: Backcourt shines, forwards struggle vs. Pacers

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After a hot start in the first quarter, the Sacramento Kings hit a wall in Indiana. It was partially due to the Pacers strong defensive effort, but the Kings seemed to lose their legs on the second night of a back-to-back.

Seven Pacers scored in double-figures, and they held the Kings under 100 points for just the third time all season. Indiana limited Sacramento to 42.2 percent shooting from the field and just 28.1 from long range to improve to 16-10 on the season.

Despite their offensive struggles, the Kings were in the game during the fourth quarter, but they could find their range or get the necessary stops to beat a solid Pacers team.

Sacramento currently stand at 13-12 on the season after the loss. Here are two positives and two negative from the game:

POSITIVES

Buoyed by the Backcourt

De'Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield scored a combined 55 points in the win over Cleveland and they were back at it again in Indiana.

Hield led Sacramento with 20 points on 8-of-20 shooting, although he went cold from the 3-point line for much of the game. After dropping in three straight triples in the first quarter and finishing the period with 13 points, Hield missed his next seven from behind the arc.

Fox struggled from the perimeter as well, missing all three of his long shots. He still managed to post 18 points, six assists, two blocks and a steal in 32 minutes of action.

These two are becoming a deadly tandem and turning heads around the league.

Justin Jackson showing signs of life

Jackson has struggled to find his way at the NBA after an extremely successful run at North Carolina, but he's starting to make a contribution for Sacramento. 

He was a non-factor early, but when the game was on the line, Jackson three 3-pointers in the fourth to keep the Kings in the game. He finished the evening with 11 points in 25 minutes.

Over his last five games, the 23-year-old small forward has hit 10-of-16 (62.5 percent) from 3-point land. If he can continue to play quality defense and hit his open shots, he's worthy of a longer look.

NEGATIVES

Trouble at the Four

The tandem of Nemanja Bjelica and Marvin Bagley III have been really good for Sacramento for most of the season. They had an off night in Indy.

Bjelica finished the game with six points on 2-for-6 shooting, including 0-for-3 from long range. His misses from deep were from way outside, including bricks from 30, 30 and 26 feet. He grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds in the loss, but the Kings needed more.

Bagley couldn't keep his hands to himself and the officiating crew punished him. The rookie big played a total of 9:43 before fouling out. He finished with just four points and two rebounds.

In addition to the rough numbers offensively, Thaddeus Young dropped in a team-high 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Pacers and Domantas Sabonis put up numbers playing the four as well.

The Fade

Sacramento looked ready to play early. They led by as many as nine points in the first quarter and finished up 31-24 after 12 minutes of action. But it wasn't their night.

The Kings looked tired and overmatched after a fast start and when the game was on the line, they couldn't get the stops they needed.

Both teams played on the road the night before, so the Kings can't use that as an excuse. Sacramento was outscored 83-66 in the final 36 minutes.

Indiana is a seasoned, veteran team which helps in these back-to-back situations, but there are no giveaway games if you want to be in the playoff discussion come April.

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