Defense Takes the Night Off as Kings Beat Clippers 176-175.

The NBA All Star Game has turned into a no defense, let’s just score a lot of points affair, as evidenced by this year’s 184-175 score. We came pretty close to that in the February 24th game between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers in L.A.

De’Aaron Fox hit a jumper with 36.5 seconds left in the second overtime to give the Kings a 176-175 victory. This was the second highest scoring game in NBA history behind the December 13th, 1983 game between the Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets. That one took three overtimes, and ended in a 186-184 Pistons’ victory.

Malik Monk led the Kings with a career high 45 points—off the bench. Fox had 42 for the Kings. Kawhi Leonard scored 44 and Paul George scored 34 for the Kings. The two teams tied the record for combined three pointers with 44.

The Kings have been one of the surprise teams this season. With the win, Sacramento improved to 34-25, third best in the Western Conference. The Clippers (33-29) are fifth.