The next day the Kings will face the Houston Rockets back-to-back.
The difference between this match and the others is that the opponent played a good match. More precisely, I almost won.
At first, Hector wins the in-between. Justin misses the game's first shot, but the Rockets PG White made a pick and rolled with Hartenstein, the center, who put a dunk.
The Kings needed help to score. And 2 or 3 pts later, Reegan had to take a timeout. After the timeout, no one scored for the next minute until Hector in the corner put in a 3PT, which relieved the rest of the Kings.
This basket begins a long successful basket exchange between the two teams. At the end of the quarter, it was 23-23.
Hector had 5 pts and 2rbs then, but he was thinking about something else. Hartenstein is the typical old-fashioned pivot. Heavy 113 kg (250lb) with significant physical impact. This kind of pivot is the most common in the NBA; guys like him will be his daily life.
This match confirms that his strength is insufficient, but a solution exists. It was 29-27 for the Rockets before he came into play.
Hector uses his advantages against the opponent's flaws. Hector is much faster than other centers, and it's time to let it be known.
Hector will make a simple but effective movement mixtape in this situation. In the Summer League, it does not have a team with an elite defense which leaves room for action.
A midrange shot, a 3PT, and a dunk with the foul, not to mention the passes in the attack. And in defense, an interception and a counter on Hartenstein.
At the end of the quarter, the Kings were ahead by 3 points, 42-45. Hector put 8pts, 3rbs, 2ast, 1stl and 1blk on the quarter. He remembers yesterday's conversation with Coach Wharton about dominance. Certainly, it's not physical, but technical dominance is just as complicated to defend against opponents.
A particular GM assistant watches Hector play in the stands with shining eyes. He saw what others did not see. Not Wharton, Reed, or Willis, but that's for later. Let's get back to the game.
Following Hector's emergence, the Rockets came back with other intentions. Hartenstein used his power to limit Hector while speeding up the game, forcing the Kings to adapt to the pace, and fortunately, the Kings kept up.
Guy, who so far missed all his shots, has put a 3PT, and Doyle, the PG replacing at, put two 3PT. On the Houston side, SF Clark and PG returning Chiozza put 3PTs while Clemons hurt midrange.
Hector did not score but took 2rbs, including an offensive and 1stl. He was, however, active in defense, constantly denying penetrations. Hartenstein pressures the paint; Hector defends himself as best he can but cannot avoid personal fault.
At the end of the prolific third quarter, the parity score was 73-73 between the two teams. Clever one dares to say who would have won the game.