An inefficient first quarter, where the Sacramento Kings couldn’t get anything to fall, would be a precursor to an overall ugly night, where the Kings would eventually prevail by seven.
On the strength of Bogdan Bogdanovic’s eight points and Willie Cauley-Stein’s all-around performance (six points, six rebounds, two assists, one block, one steal), the Kings were up 35-29 after one, but it wouldn’t last long. After an 8-2 run to open the quarter, the Hornets quickly took control of this game, outscoring the Kings 30-22 in the second and leading 55-51 at the half, despite over 10 first-half turnovers.