The start of the third quarter wasn't good for Hector. An offensive foul and a shot blocked by Carter raised Wharton's eyebrows.
At first, the Kings couldn't get in the shot attempts. Not being found on the field, Hector's teammates took over and regained 7 points ahead. He was not inactive with a rebound, an assist, a steal, and a block. Same for the Bulls except for a few, but not something to celebrate.
The Kings will also go down and lose the advantage they had gained. It took seven minutes into the quarter to see Hector score again on an assist from Robinson. He gave up three more rebounds in the quarter. The Bulls even went back in front, but the quarter ended tied.
Hector will start the last quarter on the bench. He is used to being used less on both sides of the court. Being the team's primary option on the field is only so easy with proper preparation. The facts of the game put Hector in that position, and it's up to him to try to lead the team to victory. Each team has a game plan in mind; a player's ability to adapt can change a match. Instead of sinking, the Kings are waging war on the Bulls without their main offensive option, which says much about Hector's work.
Hector came home five minutes later, with only 7 minutes left to play. 102-103, the Kings lead by only one point. They regained the lead to lead 108-105 before Hector reminded them who the boss was.
Wharton decided to bet everything on him tonight. The systems were built for him. Hector misses his first attempt but struggles, grabs the offensive rebound, and then puts in a layup. He receives the ball at the low post. With his back to the basket with Carter, he feints on his left shoulder before dribbling through the middle. But instead of shooting, he tricked Carter and LaVine, who was coming to the aid by giving a false shot to get them off the ground. Then with his pivot foot, he advances on his other foot and finishes with a layup, the opposite hand wide open on the edge.
The up and under is Belinda's favorite weapon in a layup, and Hector uses the post, too.
Then he gets another offensive rebound, causes a shooting foul, and two free throws. He only manages one, unfortunately.
He calms down a little at the scoring but still takes as many rebounds as possible, including three offensive rebounds in a row, but he misses both shots. On the third rebound, instead of shooting, he saw Hield lonely in the corner, gave him the ball, and added an assist to his counter.
The Bulls did not give up and recovered to a point with a jump shot from LaVine and a layup from Carter. It is now 112-113 for the Kings, and the game's outcome is undecided.
But it is Hector who will conclude the debates. To start a layup despite the Bulls' good defense. Then Holmes will make an important assist to Hield, who makes a three-pointer shot. And Hector will cause a foul and convert both free throws. Then will finish the Bulls with a floater full of composure—117-127 Kings.
LaVine and Coby White did what they could close the gap with a three-point pullup from LaVine and two shots from White, but the Kings didn't give up and won 124-128. Bjelica finished the game on the free throw line, and even if he missed one, it was without consequences for Sacramento.
Hector was huge with 39 points, 20 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and 2 blocks. Holmes finished with 24 points, and the duo crushed the Bulls' interiors. Barnes is not to be outdone with 20 points. Hield scored only 10 points but made some crucial shots.
The White-LaVine duo was also excellent on the Bulls' side, with more than 30 points. White's 36 points and 7 assists, and LaVine had 32 points and 7 rebounds.
An NBA legend saw this game. He's coaching in the NCAA and looking to get into the NBA. He considers the possibility that Hector offers offensively and immediately becomes enthusiastic. He is convinced to bring out his full potential but also has a season to finish.
At the post-game press conference between the Bulls and Kings.
The Kings' head coach Wharton was asked to comment on Hector's performance:
"The truth is that when a player is thrown that way, it's hard to stop him. I played with Shaq when Shaq was on fire; no need to make plans; the game plan was Shaq. Hector was the same tonight, passing the ball to him, and there was nothing to do for the opponent. »
"Hector is progressing at a pace visible to the naked eye, he had a drop in speed in the third quarter, but I have nothing to say to him. I know him well, and he is aware of it. He will work hard. As I speak, he must go to the training room. " He concludes, laughing. But he was right. Hector was really on his way to the training room.