fbpx
Mar. 29, 7:00 PM
DAL @ SAC
Mar. 31, 6:00 PM
UTH @ SAC
Apr. 02, 7:00 PM
LAC @ SAC
Apr. 04, 4:30 PM
SAC @ NYK
Apr. 05, 4:30 PM
SAC @ BOS
Apr. 07, 4:30 PM
SAC @ BKN
Apr. 09, 5:00 PM
SAC @ OKC
Apr. 11, 7:00 PM
NOH @ SAC
Apr. 12, 7:30 PM
PHO @ SAC
Apr. 14, 12:30 PM
POR @ SAC

Kings vs Celtics Preview: Inching Towards the Clinch

The Kings failed in their comeback against the Jazz last night, can they dig deep and beat the Celtics in their fifth game in seven days?
By | 26 Comments | Mar 21, 2023

The Sacramento Kings have slogged their way home after falling short in a 25 point comeback against the short-handed Jazz, and will have no time to rest – the second best team in the Eastern Conference is here looking for their own date with destiny. Yes, after a four game road trip packed into six days, the Kings will have to go up against one of the most talented teams in the East before they can get any semblance of rest! Can the Kings find 48 minutes of energy after a disappointing showing in Salt Lake? Can Keegan Murray stay hot and close the gap on that rookie three point record? Will today finally be the day Domantas Sabonis admits to some hideous crime against the referee community, in an attempt to finally get some whistles blown in his favor?

Let’s talk Kings basketball!

When: Tuesday, March 21st, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

For Your Consideration

Murra-culous Finish: I mentioned yesterday that the game against the Jazz felt very much like an old school Kangz trap game, but that I had confidence in Mike Brown keeping his team focused and prepared for a team missing their three best scorers. Well, color me surprised, the Kings Kangzed a bit. It’s going to happen, even in most perfect of seasons. We move forward.

I didn’t realize it till long after the comeback had failed and the Operation: MCNAIR donations stopped coming in – Keegan Murray has had a couple of really big games for the Kings of late and as quiet as he is, his game speaks louder and louder all the time. [Not as loud as a 25 point deficit to the Jazz apparently, but give it time.] Keegan’s last three games have him at 17.3 points, 5 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 46.7% from deep on exactly 10 attempts per game, which is a fantastic leap over the previous six, where he’d averaged 6.7 points, 4 rebounds, .7 steals and hitting 24.1% from deep on just 4.8 attempts. Chalk it up to match-ups or getting his second wind after hitting the rookie wall – the kid is back in a big way and just in time for that final playoff push. Keegan has very quickly taken me on an emotion roller coaster this season from the doubting “oh boy, good kid, might be a mistake” to the emotional highs of “yeah, he honestly might be my favorite player’. He’s certainly earned his spot as a starter with this team, he’s improving as the season wears on in some very high pressure basketball situations and he’s done so without cracking much more than a wry grin. The fact that he’s within 15 of Donovan Mitchell’s rookie record while starting for a top-three squad in the West is pretty insane. Mitchell, as a rookie, was the leading scorer on a surprise 5th seed Utah Jazz squad, but outside of that, every single other one of these guys in the Top-5 were on bottom of the barrel teams. #2 Damian Lillard’s Blazers in 2012 – 11th in the West. #3 Saddiq Bey’s Pistons squad in ’21 – worst team in the East. #5 Anthony Edwards’ Timberwolves squad – 13th in the West. In fact, the only other player in a playoff situation their rookie year that comes close is Landry Shamet at #7 and that kid played for both the 3rd seeded Sixers and then started for the 8th seeded, SGA/ Tobias Harris led Clippers.  Not Luka’s Mavs – 14th. Not Steph’s Warriors – 13th. Just Keegan Murray, and well, 25 games of Landry Shamet. The fourth or fifth option on a Kings squad packing historic amounts of scoring and shooters and he’s fifteen away from holding the NBA record for most threes scored by a rookie. Whether he gets over the hump or not, I’m pretty damn happy for the kid and his growth so far this season.

Okay, as for the game tonight. The Celtics are the Celtics. Joe Mazzulla plays his stars pretty high minutes and gets an incredible level of production out of them. Tatum is averaging 30 on the dot, shooting 45.7% from the field and 34.5% from deep on 9.4 attempts. Jaylen Brown is averaging 26.7 points on 49% from the field and 34% from deep. They’re both very capable defenders to boot. Guys like Marcus Smart, Al Horford, Malcolm Brogdon,  Derrick White, Grant Williams and Time Lord (when healthy) all play their parts to perfection and the team’s offensive and defensive rating both being 4th in the NBA is proof of it. They’re a well oiled machine. In a world where the Jazz can beat the Kings without their three best scorers, the Celtics are obvious favorites against Sacramento tonight. Coach Brown’s Kings will have to respond pissed off and ready for a fight to make this one interesting on the last leg of a very long week of basketball.

Prediction

Just when I thought I was out, they pull be back in. The Kings get going STRONG early, with Huerter back in the rotation and Monk stewing from a bad night of shooting, the Kings hit from deep early and often. Keegan Murray racks up another four or five, Fox has three at half time, Sabonis gets the bigs in early foul trouble. Marcus Smart gets tossed from the game after a night of frustratingly poor defense on the NBA’s clutchest player. Oh, and Tatum and Brown do what it takes to keep it close.

Kings: 165, Celtics: 153

Patreon Membership
* indicates required


To prevent spam, our system flags comments that include too many hyperlinks. If you would like to share a comment with multiple links, make sure you email [email protected] for it to be approved.
Subscribe
Notify of
26 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Jman1949
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
March 21, 2023 1:10 pm

At last we’re again home in Sac.
Face the Celts on a tough back-to-back.
With so little rest
We’ll be put to the test.
Overcome any energy lack!

Klam
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 18
Nostradumbass 19
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 18
Nostradumbass 19
March 21, 2023 1:19 pm

Posting this again for win number 44!
comment image

Hippity_Hop_Barbershop
Original Member
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
Original Member
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
March 21, 2023 1:31 pm

This one will be tough. Thank god we’re at home. The beam likes the rain…

RikSmits
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
March 21, 2023 1:35 pm

RIP, Willis Reed.

andy_sims
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
March 21, 2023 1:44 pm

This one feels like a very steep climb, especially after having to play at altitude last night. (I did not intend to have a metaphorical theme, and I apologize for it.)

Question about Keegan’s numbers, which involve math, so I’m probably overlooking something very simple. If Keegan has taken thirty three-point attempts over the last three games, or as you said, a ten-per-game average, how can his percentage of makes be a crooked number like 46.7%?

As ever, I appreciate your patience.

andy_sims
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
March 21, 2023 1:44 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

Disregard, my dumb ass just figured it out.

RobHessing
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Author
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Author
March 21, 2023 2:10 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

comment image

andy_sims
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
March 21, 2023 2:53 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

I expect a little math, but tripping over something this simple portends bad things.

Bluejohn
Comments
Vote Up
Comments
Vote Up
March 21, 2023 3:17 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

Did you ask that question in Greek?

andy_sims
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
March 21, 2023 4:43 pm
Reply to  Bluejohn

It kind of looks like the entire thing was Greek to me.

Kosta
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
March 21, 2023 2:32 pm

Danny Ainge’s former team will pay dearly for the loss inflicted upon his former team by his current team.

comment image

comment image

comment image

Last edited 1 year ago by Kosta
RPO
Original Member
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
Original Member
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
RPO
March 21, 2023 3:48 pm
Reply to  Kosta

Danny Strange

Mike120
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
March 21, 2023 4:13 pm
Reply to  Kosta

God, I’m old. I remember Ainge in college.

Gregoryl
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
March 21, 2023 4:51 pm
Reply to  Kosta

I thought he was the Lakers GM?

Marty
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
March 21, 2023 3:22 pm

Getting my first tattoo in a few hours, and my dog died today. Two unrelated events that end with, GO KINGS! I believe they will crush Boston.

RPO
Original Member
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
Original Member
Comments
Vote Up
Patreon Supporter
RPO
March 21, 2023 3:49 pm
Reply to  Marty

Come on, Kings, do it for Marty’s dog! (RIP)

Marty
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
March 21, 2023 3:55 pm
Reply to  RPO

Ralphie was a Sacramento native, homeless on the American river, impounded by the county, rescued by me. Couldn’t have asked for a friendlier dog. Ralph didn’t know how to be aggressive, an odd personality omission in a chow/retriever mix.

andy_sims
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
March 21, 2023 4:45 pm
Reply to  Marty

I’m sure that you must have a lot of great memories, and I hope they ease your burden a little bit.

Mike120
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
March 21, 2023 4:15 pm
Reply to  Marty

Sorry to hear about Ralphie. Feel good about the quality time you spent together. When Charlie our MiniAussie goes I’m going to bawl my eyes out. Cooper the yappy Pomeranian, not so much.

Marty
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
March 21, 2023 4:56 pm
Reply to  Mike120

My man and I had many adventures in the high Sierra, my fuzzy backpacker.

JoeEnzyme
Patreon Supporter
Original Member
Comments
Patreon Supporter
Original Member
Comments
March 21, 2023 4:09 pm

Question for the old heads from STR, can someone please explain to me the origins of the “Peaches” nickname?

Mike120
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
March 21, 2023 4:16 pm
Reply to  JoeEnzyme

I’m guessing it’s the color of his cheeks and hair?

Marty
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
March 21, 2023 4:21 pm
Reply to  JoeEnzyme

I believe Spencer Hawes sort of elevated things, I’m sure a photo lives on somewhere in 3…2…1…

Adamsite
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 14
Patreon Supporter
Comments
Vote Up
Original Member
Nostradumbass 14
March 21, 2023 4:58 pm
Reply to  Marty

comment image

sacm3bill
Original Member
Original Member
March 21, 2023 4:27 pm
Reply to  JoeEnzyme

It was his sweet and pleasant personality, no?

andy_sims
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
Vote Up
Comments
Original Member
Patreon Supporter
March 21, 2023 4:45 pm
Reply to  sacm3bill

The pits. He was the pits.

Badge Legend

Patreon Supporter Patreon Supporter   Registered On Day 1 Registered On Day 1   Published Post Published Post  Published Post Nostradumbass
Comment Up Votes 200 Up Votes   Comment Up Votes 500 Up Votes    1,000 Up Votes    3,000+ Up Votes

Comments 50 Comments   Comments 100 Comments    250 Comments    500 Comments    1000+ Comments