Sport
10 October, 2022
Delly’s return fit for a King
Maryborough basketball icon Matthew Dellavedova made his return to the National Basketball Association (NBA) last Tuesday, as preparations continue to ramp up for the Sacramento Kings ahead of their first game of the 2022-23 season on October 20...
Maryborough basketball icon Matthew Dellavedova made his return to the National Basketball Association (NBA) last Tuesday, as preparations continue to ramp up for the Sacramento Kings ahead of their first game of the 2022-23 season on October 20.
Dellavedova suited up for the first time with the Sacramento Kings in their pre-season match-up against the Los Angeles Lakers, and while pre-season results aren’t taken seriously in the NBA, the Kings were able to enjoy an impressive second-half performance nevertheless with their bench unit to outscore the Lakers 64-29 from half time onwards to take a 30-point victory, 105-75.
Dellavedova was able to see playing time in both the third and fourth quarters, and showed impressive poise in his nine minutes on the floor, collecting two rebounds and three assists as he reliably fed the ball to his young teammates, controlling the pace of the game.
The signing of Dellavedova was designed to provide beneficial help to Sacramento’s young roster, and already, it appears that his advice is helping them flourish, with draftee Keegan Murray the pick of their players in their pre-season win, scoring 16 points on seven-of-11 shooting from the field.
The Kings were due to play the Portland Trail Blazers in their second pre-season match at the time of production, ahead of the two teams meeting to open the regular season in nine days’ time.