The Sacramento Kings return to action in an early-afternoon matchup with the Orlando Magic. After a couple days off, there’s a good chance the Kings get De’Aaron Fox back today as he was listed as Questionable on last night’s injury report update.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Saturday, November 5th, 2:00 PM PT
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
For Your Consideration
The Magic and Kings both enter this contest with two wins under their respective belts. The Kings are 2-5, while the Magic are 2-7. But not all early schedules are created equal, and it’s way too early in the season to be worried about overall records and standings. As I look across the league there’s still a lot of silliness in the early standings. The Jazz have no intention of being good but at currently the 3-seed in the West. The Trail Blazers, who in preseason were expected the lower end of the playoff/play-in contenders, currently sit first. The Blazers have been much better than I thought they’d be, but I still don’t think they’ll end up the best team in the West this season.
All that being said, when we look at the Kings early schedule, this was one of a few “should-win” games on the docket. If the Kings want to prove that their early record is a matter of schedule as opposed to an ominous sign of yet another disappointing season, they need to come into Orlando and take care of business. The Kings have been on the East coast most of the week, so there’s no excuses about the early start.
That said, the Magic cannot be taken lightly. Orlando is fresh off an upset victory over the struggling Golden State Warriors. Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr, and Jalen Suggs form a formidable young core for the Magic. Orlando will be without Cole Anthony, and Terrence Ross is listed as questionable.
We’ll also be watching what should be a fun rematch between Paolo Banchero and Keegan Murray, two of the top candidates to win Rookie of the Year this season. The two had a fun matchup in Summer League in that double OT thriller that saw Banchero and Murray go head to head much of the game.
Prediction
Keegan Murray quietly out-duels Paolo, Domantas Sabonis dominates inside again, and the Kings triumphantly declare themselves the better of these two-win teams.
Kings 130, Magic 122
[Editor’s Note: Due to the early start there will be no prediction contest for this game]
Expecting another OT game here. Whoever comes up with a good defensive stop at the end takes win #3.
Two great rookies we’ll see head-to head!
Our Keegan deserves much more cred.
Although we adore him,
Most writers ignore him.
For the Magic he’s someone to dread!
Our favorite rookie Murray
Can put up points in a flurry!
I hope he brings the moxie,
and gets to play with Foxy.
We need more wins, please hurry!
Up rose Disney, half-nibbled by mice,
In great need of some fashion advice,
“It’s all just so tragic,
To call them the Magic,
The connection must hurt our stock price.”
Fox needs to rest during the definite losses and sacrifice it all for the games they have a slight chance of winning.
I actually get more nervous when the Kings are playing a team with a lousy record, lmao.
My prediction is Zebras revenge game. Blow out win with TD finally going off.
Yeah, the phrase “games we should win” does not fall trippingly off the tongue.
There once was a team from Sactown,
Whose logo included a crown.
To lose to the Magic,
would be awfully tragic,
JJ Pfister! Our sorrows to drown.
Yep, this game will be rather telling.
This game is going to be telling, indeed. It will be a good indicator to tell us about where the Kings are at.
It’s hard not to look goofy without carrying/palming
Or on defense.
NBA Analyst: The Sacramento Kings defense is downright goofy.
Sacramento Kings: Thank you. Thank you very much.
NBA is getting weird with these wonky start times.
set your clock back an hour
but don’t set your basketball franchise back a decade, Vlade!
At least the Kings will get up in the air by 11pm ET so they’ll likely be back in Sac around 1am or 2am at the latest. That’s assuming they don’t fly to SF because of the Dubs game in SF they are playing Monday night.
Fan predictions? I know it’s an early game.
You mean I am supposed to read the italics too? LOL.
Badge Legend