Kings vs Magic: On the road again

After a long and mostly-unsuccessful homestand, the Kings are back on the road for the next six games. The Kings kick off with an early game in Orlando. Early weekend games on the East coast have always been a challenge for the Kings, but the Kings need every possible win right now as they fight to stay in the Play-In.

Let’s talk Kings basketball!

When: Saturday, March 29th, 2:00 PM PT
Where: Kia Center, Orlando, FL
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM

For Your Consideration

After a strong start to the season, the Orlando Magic have fallen off due to a variety of injuries throughout the season. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner both missed extensive time with oblique tears, although both are back in action now. The Magic will be without Jalen Suggs and Mo Wagner, who are both out for the rest of the year with knee injuries. Cole Anthony is listed as doubtful with a toe stain. The Kings will be without Jake LaRavia, who the Kings announced will be out for 7-10 days with a thumb injury.

The Orlando Magic enter this game averaging just 104.9 points per game, last in the NBA. The Magic also only allow 106.0 points per game, the lowest in the league. Unfortunately for the Magic, those balance out to a negative net rating, hence the Magic clinging to the 8th seed in the East. The Magic will make their opponents fight and claw for every point, but aren’t going to ring up a lot of points on the other end of the floor. This game will be an interesting matchup. The Kings have a propensity for turning the ball over and settling for bad shots against good defenses, which could spell trouble for Sacramento against a team like Orlando. On the flip side, the Magic may not be able to take advantage of Sacramento’s usual defensive shortcomings. Orlando takes just 32.2 threes per games (tied for fewest in the league), and makes 32.8% of them (second worst in the NBA). But none of that mattered when these team met in February, as the Magic shot 51.6% from three on their way to a 130-111 victory in Sacramento.

One other item to keep an eye on going into this game is the starting lineup. Malik Monk was listed as a starter last game, but ended up coming off the bench as Keon Ellis got the start. It’s a change that seems long overdue to most Kings fans, but the Kings were evasive about whether or not it was a permanent change. Doug Christie talked about working Monk back from illness, but also said Monk is fine regardless of his role (I find this difficult to believe given the last two years, but whatever). Monk said he knew he wouldn’t be starting against Portland. Everyone said the right things, but nobody would commit to whether this change would continue. The results speak for themselves, as the Kings are a much better team over the last two years when Ellis starts, and a better team when Ellis plays more minutes. I’m hopeful Doug will continue with this rotation through the remainder of the year, but the Kings have been perpetually opposed to making this obvious change. We’ll see what happens today.

Prediction

Keon Ellis starts, the Kings make their threes, the sky is the most beautiful blue you’ve ever seen, and when night falls the sky is lit by the most beautiful purple you’ve ever seen.

Kings 121, Magic 111