What we learned in Kings' 125-123 loss to Warriors as stretch run begins

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OAKLAND -- Down to the wire. In what could be a preview of a first-round postseason matchup, the Kings and Warriors played their fourth spirited game of the season. 

Sacramento sharpshooter Buddy Hield came up short on a mid-range jumper as time expired and, like the previous three games between these two clubs, the Kings fell just short. With the 125-123 victory, the Warriors swept the season series by a combined total of 12 points. 

Warriors star Kevin Durant was nearly unstoppable on both ends of the court. Two-time MVP Stephen Curry showed off his shooting stroke, and DeMarcus Cousins gave Kings fans a reminder of the positives -- and the negatives -- they're missing. 

Here are three takeaways as the Kings dropped another tough one to the Warriors to fall to 30-28 on the season:

Rookie Rampage

Marvin Bagley looked like a man possessed. The 19-year-old rookie had a quiet first quarter, scoring just three points in six minutes in the opening frame.

When he came back out to start the second quarter, it was on. Bagley used a variety of post moves to get loose and push his total to 16 at the half. 

After the intermission, he did more of the same. Bagley finished the evening with 28 points on 8-for-19 shooting, and chipped in 14 rebounds for his 11th double-double of the season. 

Battle of the Backcourts

Curry and Klay Thompson are the gold standard of NBA backcourts, but the Kings’ young duo of De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield are making strides.

Curry hit the Kings for 36 points, including 10 makes from long range. Thompson struggled with his shot, but still managed to post 18 points on the evening.

Like Bagley, Fox got off to a slow start early in the game, but he bounced back to score 10 of his 18 points in the third quarter. He added eight assists and three rebounds in the loss. 

For one of the few times this season, Hield couldn’t find his range. Sacramento’s leading scorer started 0-for-6 from deep, but hit two long range triples in the final minute to push his scoring total to 18 points.  

[RELATED: The advice Draymond gave Fox about being Kings' leader]

Corey Brewer takeover

Rocking his second 10-day contract, Corey Brewer brought his hard hat and lunch pail to work on Thursday night at Oracle Arena. 

Known as an instigator, the 32-year-old journeyman got deep under the skin of Cousins on one end of the court, and then caught fire on the other. 

Brewer knocked down 3-of-5 from long range in his 14 minutes to finish with 11 points. He brought energy, and dirtied up the game. 

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