How Sacramento Kings’ win over Hornets changes NBA play-in possibilities

The Kings needed a win in the worst way to stop their free fall and reinforce their position in the NBA’s Western Conference play-in race.

They got the win they needed to strengthen their hold on the final play-in spot, and then they got some help, opening up a more desirable possibility going into the final week of the regular season.

Zach LaVine had 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Kings to a 125-102 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Sacramento’s win coupled with losses by the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns changed the complexion of the play-in race with five games remaining. The Kings now lead the Suns by two games for the final play-in spot, but now they have a chance to improve their position after moving within a half-game of the Mavericks for ninth.

The team that finishes ninth will host a first-round play-in game against the team that finishes 10^th. The winner of that game will go on the road to play the loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 game for the right to advance to the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the West.

Interim Kings coach Doug Christie was pleased with the way his team responded against the Hornets after suffering a dispiriting loss to the woeful Washington Wizards on Wednesday.

“Love and respect the way the guys came out after a really disappointing loss, one that in many ways that a team can go the other way,” Christie told reporters in Charlotte. “That’s what being about your teammates and loving your teammates is all about, so a lot of respect for the way the guys came out and approached this game.”

Domantas Sabonis posted his league-leading 57^th double-double of the season with 24 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists for the Kings (37-40), who had lost seven of eight and 11 of their last 14.

Miles Bridges scored 22 points for the Hornets (19-58), who have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference.

The Kings shot 49.5% from the field and 44.4% from 3-point range while the Hornets shot just 39.8% overall and 22.9% from long distance. The Kings outscored the Hornets 50-42 on points in the paint, 19-13 in second-chance points and 16-6 in fastbreak points.

“It was good,” Sabonis said. “We’ve just got to build habits and hopefully build on it and use it for the next five games.”

Sacramento’s path to the playoffs – or even the play-in – won’t be easy. The Kings have the second toughest remaining schedule in the NBA. The Suns have the fourth most difficult schedule. The Mavericks have the 14^th-toughest remaining schedule.

The Kings will visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday and Detroit Pistons on Monday to conclude a six-game road trip before coming home to face the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Clippers and Suns.

The Mavericks have four games to go. They will close out the regular season against the Los Angeles Clippers (road), Los Angeles Lakers (home), Toronto Raptors (home) and Memphis Grizzlies (road).

The Suns have five games left. They will play the New York Knicks on the road before hosting the Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. They will visit the Kings in the final game of the regular season April 13 in a game that could have huge play-in implications.