Three things we learned in Kings' loss vs. Blazers in preseason finale

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Better effort, same result. After a crushing loss on their home court Thursday evening to the Utah Jazz, the Kings bounced back on Friday. 

Sacramento couldn’t find a way to pull out the win, falling to the Portland Trail Blazers by a final of 118-115, but it was a highly competitive game from start to finish. 

Both De’Aaron Fox and head coach Dave Joerger missed the game due to a stomach ailment, leaving the Kings shorthanded. The team battled down to the wire, but couldn’t get the tying basket to fall late as they finished the exhibition schedule at 2-4.  

Here are three things we learned from Sacramento's preseason finale.

Slowing down

The speed of the NBA game eats young players alive. They look like giraffes on roller skates early in their careers, before it all starts to slow down. 

Rookie Marvin Bagley III is starting to figure things out early in the preseason. The 19-year-old lit up the Blazers for 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting in 26 minutes of action. He added six rebounds, a steal and a block whole knocking down his first career 3-ball. 

Bagley’s development is paramount for the Kings. The faster he figures out the NBA game, the better it is for Sacramento. 

Guard play

After a brutal game on Thursday, Buddy Hield, Yogi Ferrell and Frank Mason found redemption against the Blazers. Hield and Ferrell led the way for Sacramento, scoring 19 points each. Mason filled in for Fox, finishing with 14 points and eight assists. 

This group is going to play major minutes for the Kings early in the season. They have to compete if the team has any chance for success this season. 

You can’t expect a combined 52 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds from the trio every night, but these guys will determine plenty of games this season for Sacramento.

When it won’t fall, fill the stat sheet

Harry Giles struggled with his shot Friday evening, hitting just 2-for-10 from the field on his way to seven points. When you can’t hit the bunnies, find a way contribute. 

The rookie grabbed six rebounds, picked up two steals and chipped in four assists. He had another four or five passes that were either blown assists, or led to free throws for his teammates. 

Giles is quickly establishing himself as an elite passing big, and he’s only going to get better.

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