Kings takeaways: What we learned in preseason rout of Maccabi Haifa

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SACRAMENTO -- The Kings made their NBA preseason debut at Golden 1 Center on Monday night and took care of business. They shook off a slow start to throttle Maccabi Haifa by a final of 132-100.

It was a team effort for the Kings, as seven players finished in double-figure scoring. As a team, Sacramento shot 53.1 percent from the field and 44.8 percent from 3-point range, and dished out 36 assists.

Josh Childress scored 18 and Kennedy Meeks added 17 to lead Maccabi. Scott Machado chipped in 15 points and four assists for the Israeli league team.

Here are three takeaways from the Kings' lopsided win.

Welcome to the ballclub

Nemanja Bjelica missed the Kings’ first three preseason games with a sore knee. He finally made his debut Monday night and had an immediate impact.

The 30-year-old combo-forward started and scored 12 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out three assists and picked up three blocks. He was active on the defensive end and showed a knack for being in the right position for the rebound.

You can’t have enough high basketball IQ players on your squad.

Justin Jackson sighting

Jackson has struggled early in the preseason, but Maccabi Haifa might have been just what the doctor ordered.

The sophomore small forward looked confident with his shot, knocking down 4-for-8 from long range on his way to 18 points. He added three rebounds and two assists.

Jackson has started all four preseason games at small forward for Sacramento, but this was his first double-digit scoring effort.

Starter or sixth man?

Buddy Hield looked great as the Kings’ first option off the bench last season. He was comfortable in the role and carved out a niche.

In the Kings' first three preseason games, though, Hield started in place of the injured Bogdan Bogdanovic. Against Maccabi Haifa, Kings coach Dave Joerger mixed it up, starting Frank Mason III alongside De’Aaron Fox. Whether it’s a comfort issue, getting more shots or a one-off, Hield was brilliant in a reserve role.

The third-year guard shot 9-for-11 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from long range on his way to a game-high 22 points. He added five assists and two steals in 27 minutes of action.

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