No one had answers.
Kings coach Reggie Theus welcomed any suggestions, while Spencer Hawes tried to pinpoint the origin of Friday's downward spiral that ended with a 117-96 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at Arco Arena.
There was theorizing, but mostly talk about moving on.
"I can't even tell you when it began to go bad," said Hawes, who came off the bench to score 15 points.
But all signs point to early in the third quarter.
The Trail Blazers outscored the Kings 37-18 in the third quarter with the help of five three-pointers and a stronger rebounding effort. That scoring run turned Portland's 57-51 halftime lead into a 25-point advantage entering the fourth quarter.
On the night, Portland hit a season-high 14 three-pointers on 26 attempts. Theus fielded questions about his team's ability to defend from three-point range.
"All I know is there were some that were wide open, but there were a lot of them that had a hand in their face," Theus said. "So, you guys figure it out. If you figure it out, let me know."
The one thing Theus was sure of was that his team didn't play poorly.
"(The Trail Blazers) are a talented team," he said. "They are a very talented team, if you hear what I'm saying."
Despite his warnings that fans should expect the Kings to be inconsistent because of their youth, Theus said that was not a factor Friday.
"We could have played better, yes," Theus said. "They are a tough team to beat. (Portland) has talent from (the) one to the end of the bench."
Portland had a season high in points. Guard Steve Blake led the way with 20 points, including a career-high six three-pointers on 10 attempts. Blake hit three of those three-pointers during a two-minute sequence in the first quarter.
"When our guys have an opportunity to shoot the three ball, we want them to shoot the three ball," Portland coach Nate McMillan said. "Our guys have been knocking that shot down, especially Blake."
The Kings suffered their fourth loss in five attempts. They have dropped four consecutive games at Arco.
Rookie Jason Thompson, who had season highs of 19 points and 12 rebounds, provided the Kings' lone highlight. Thompson had six offensive rebounds in the first half.
"I felt at times even in the first half that we were playing solid," Thompson said. "They were just making shots. I don't know if it was just one of those days; it's just tough to try to get back when they are making as many threes as they were."
Beno Udrih took an elbow to the face with 1:42 remaining in the third quarter and did not return.
In the fourth, Theus stuck with his youth and sat Brad Miller, John Salmons and Bobby Jackson. With Brandon Roy and Joel Przybilla sitting for Portland, the Kings outscored the Trail Blazers 27-23.
"We preach and talk about defense every day," Jackson said. "We have to be ready to play. I think everybody wants to use (that) we are a young team as an excuse. You have to be ready to play, regardless."
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.