Hector was not on the court at the start of the 4th quarter. He plays a decent match but nothing more and doesn't feel the need for it. Monk and D-Fox are boiling tonight.
Monk kicked off the hostilities with a 3-point pull-up followed by a layup on an assist from Davion Mitchell. Mitchell is the one who has lost the most playing time since the beginning of the season, but his contribution is undeniable. His activity on defense and points on offense makes him a great option off the bench.
The Clippers responded with a dunk by Terence Mann. But Mitchell will throw a missile on a pass from Malik Monk for 3-pointers, and the Kings are back to within one point of the Clippers. But they do not let go, and Eric Gordon puts the Clippers back on the right path with a 3-pointer.
Malik Monk then got two free throws that converted both. The two teams start at a frantic pace with one of Batum's 3-pointers for the Clippers and Terence Davis for the Kings.
Paul George is the only star on the pitch, and it's time to prove it. First, he will provoke a foul shot from Metu and get the extra free throw. Monk only made one free throw out of two.
The Kings will still come within one point of the Clippers, but Paul George will cause a foul by Metu and another bonus free throw that he has once again converted. It's in this condition that Hector reappears, and George eats Metu. After a 3-pointer by Batum, the Kings took a timeout.
Ewing sees that the game is slipping away, and a qualified coach can't let it happen.
But Paul George disagrees. Norman Powell will put his 3-point before Paul George succeeds a stepback accompanied by a foul. 6-0 out of a timeout. The bill went for the Kings, who are now 12 points behind.
With five minutes left to play, the score was 131-144 for the Clippers, and Hector stole a ball. But only the Clippers will score one extra point for a minute and a half. The weather is against the Kings, and Hector will unlock the game with a putback dunk on an offensive rebound.
The Kings will initiate a lightning counterattack. Malik Monk sends a pullup jumper to 3-pointers. Kawhi will answer from the mid-range, but the wave comes next. The 4th quarter Fox is activated with two layups, of which he has the secret.
Then Keegan Murray adds his dunk before Hector serves Fox, who will place a tough layup, but with 4th quarter Fox, no one is surprised. He can shoot from anywhere, anytime, and in any way, he is likely to succeed in his shot.
Hector will bring the Kings back to within one point on a basket in the low post. Since Ewing's arrival on the bench, Hector has had a luxury-sparing partner, and his efficiency in the post-up and low post is evident to all.
With only nine moves, he became one of the most efficient players in the league. Let's thank the system that corrects the imperfections in its shooting gesture. It is not trivial that it can make so many matches with an absolutely lunar efficiency. By taking less than 15 shots per game, he averages 23 points, which sums it up.
The Clippers asked for a timeout, you have to nip the threat in the bud, usually in the NBA, but no one knows when it will happen. That is what just happened. You can go from a comfortable lead to a close game in a minute and a half.
That's what makes the NBA so charming.
We get back in the last minute, and Paul George has found a way for him to get back to the free-throw line. This time, Barnes was fooled, and George missed neither.
Malik Monk will also get free throws and convert them. Russell Westbrook, or "Russell Westbrick," will put in a crucial shot that gives the Clippers a 3-point lead. 4th quarter Fox will respond with a layup that will give hope to the Kings, but this George, absolutely evil from the Kings' point of view, will still cause a foul and get two free throws.
Once successful, the Kings have no choice. Eight seconds are left to play, and only a 3-pointer is an option to go to overtime. Fox and Monk are hot, and the last shot is played on "rock paper scissors," and Monk wins.
Monk took guts, and he shoots catch and shoot on an assist from Fox. At that time, crypto.com Arena was at a standstill. Everyone is silent, waiting for the outcome of the shot. Malik Monk put the teams back—153-153 at the end of regulation time.
The Clippers don't have enough time to attempt anything. Overtime is inevitable.