Spencer Hawes knew the adjustment was coming, and that it would leave him fewer minutes on the floor. But sharing is as much a part of Hawes' game as his three-point shot.
"We are like two different teams when we play unselfishly," said Hawes after recording his second double double of the season with 14 points and a team-high 11 rebounds.
Hawes added three blocked shots for a team-high 14 so far this season, while proving to be a sharpshooter from three-point range. He's logged a three-pointer in all seven games, while going 9 for 12 (.750) overall.
Hawes, who is coming off the bench, began the season starting at center in place of the suspended Brad Miller.
"When his shots are falling like that, it makes it very difficult to play against him," Kings coach Reggie Theus said. "(He's) just getting better."
Local ties – With a small contingent of Warriors fans on hand, rookie DeMarcus Nelson received a warm reception from the announced 12,090 fans at Arco. However, Nelson's first minutes on the floor weren't as welcoming.
Hawes blocked Nelson's first shot of the game with 9:10 remaining in the first half. That play sent the ball down to Kings territory and into the hands of rookie Bobby Brown, who shot a three-pointer.
Nelson was a do-everything guard during his one season at Sheldon High School in Elk Grove before heading to Duke, where he played with the Kings' Shelden Williams.
Nelson went undrafted this year before finding his way onto the Warriors' injury-depleted squad.
Nelson finished with six points, two steals and two assists in 25 minutes.
"I had a lot of friends and family here," Nelson said.
Total control – The Kings outscored the Warriors in every quarter of Sunday's win, which made their third consecutive victory look a lot like the previous two wins.
Entering the game, the Kings controlled the floor in their previous two victories, holding the lead for 93 minutes, 2 seconds out of a total of 96 minutes. That was quite the turnaround from the Kings' first four games, where they held the lead for 13 minutes, 36 seconds out of a total 192 minutes.
The difference?
"I think it's always easier to do at home, but coming out and being assertive right away and coming out with the energy and the focus," Hawes said.
Call The Bee's Melody Gutierrez, (916) 326-5521. To get breaking news alerts and game scores sent to your phone, text KINGS to 72737.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.