NBA: Harrison Barnes, Kings blow by Magic
FILE – Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball against the Phoenix Suns at Golden 1 Center on November 28, 2022 in Sacramento, California. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP
Harrison Barnes had a season-high 30 points, Domantas Sabonis missed a triple-double by two assists in just 32 minutes and the Sacramento Kings emphatically ended a two-game losing streak with a 136-111 shellacking of the visiting Orlando Magic on Monday night.
Eight Kings scored in double figures as the hosts used a 41-point first quarter as a springboard to complete a two-game season-series sweep of the Magic.
Article continues after this advertisementPaolo Banchero paced Orlando with 17 points two nights after the Magic had opened a five-game Western swing with an impressive 115-101 victory at Golden State.
En route to their fourth-highest output of the season and seventh game with 130 or more points, the Kings trailed 9-8 before a Sabonis hoop almost three minutes into the first quarter put them on top for good.
Sacramento outscored the Magic by 10 points in each of the first two periods to go up 72-52 at halftime, and the second half was never close.
Article continues after this advertisement🎯 30 points
🎯 6 ThreesHarrison Barnes scored a season-high as he led the Kings to the home W. pic.twitter.com/TVI0XM5J6Z
— NBA (@NBA) January 10, 2023
Barnes’ 30 points came on 11-for-13 shooting overall and 6-for-7 accuracy on 3-pointers, helping Sacramento connect at 53.6- and 50.0-percent rates, respectively.
The 30-point game was the 21st of his career, his first since scorching the Minnesota Timberwolves for an even 30 last February.
Seeking a fourth triple-double of the season, but rather having to settle for a league-best 30th double-double, Sabonis finished with 12 points, a game-high 10 rebounds and eight assists.
Sacramento’s other three starters — Keegan Murray (15 points), Kevin Huerter (14) and De’Aaron Fox (11) — also scored in double figures, as did reserves Trey Lyles (14), Malik Monk (14) and Chimezie Metu (11). Fox added a game-high nine assists, while Metu had nine rebounds.
Banchero did more than just lead the Magic in scoring. The rookie also found time for a team-high eight rebounds, four assists and a game-high three steals.
Franz Wagner and Markelle Fultz backed Banchero with 16 points apiece, while Wendell Carter Jr. chipped in with 15, Jalen Suggs 14 and Moe Wagner 12.
The 136 points allowed were a season high for Orlando.
