Even more fortunately for them, once the game entered the battle of the Transition Period, they unexpectedly became the side with the greater advantage.
The reason was simple: the Kings' backup backcourt duo, Malik Monk and Buddy Hield.
These two Bench Bandits had posted remarkably high Offensive Efficiency during their three-plus minutes on the court in the First Quarter tonight.
Monk went 2-for-3, including 1-for-1 from three, while Hield went 2-for-2, both shots being threes.
With their outrageous efficiency, the two combined for 11 points in a short span, even helping the Kings extend their lead further in the First Quarter.
By the end of the quarter, the score stood at 39-33.
With strong performances from both their starters and bench, the Kings smoothly built a 6-point lead.
After the short intermission, the game moved into the Second Quarter.
As usual, the opening stretch of the Second Quarter was a contest between the two teams' Transition Period lineups.
For the Kings, Little Wagner led the unit alongside Hield and Monk, both of whom had played well in the First Quarter.
The Knicks, meanwhile, sent out a lineup of Rose, Strus, George, Ethan, and Drummond.
These two lineups battled for five full minutes to open the second quarter, with the Kings making just one adjustment midway through by bringing on Mark Williams.
By the end of that stretch, the score had become 57-48.
The Kings had widened the score difference further, pushing their lead to 9 points.
It was not an enormous lead, but they had at least won the minutes during the stretch led by George.
And the greatest contributor to the Kings winning those minutes was undoubtedly Malik Monk.
Clearly, Monk, a player who could be a little streaky, had erupted tonight.
In just over eight total minutes on