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
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!
Posting this again for win number 44!

This one will be tough. Thank god we’re at home. The beam likes the rain…
RIP, Willis Reed.
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.
Disregard, my dumb ass just figured it out.
I expect a little math, but tripping over something this simple portends bad things.
Did you ask that question in Greek?
It kind of looks like the entire thing was Greek to me.
Danny Ainge’s former team will pay dearly for the loss inflicted upon his former team by his current team.
Danny Strange
God, I’m old. I remember Ainge in college.
I thought he was the Lakers GM?
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.
Come on, Kings, do it for Marty’s dog! (RIP)
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.
I’m sure that you must have a lot of great memories, and I hope they ease your burden a little bit.
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.
My man and I had many adventures in the high Sierra, my fuzzy backpacker.
Question for the old heads from STR, can someone please explain to me the origins of the “Peaches” nickname?
I’m guessing it’s the color of his cheeks and hair?
I believe Spencer Hawes sort of elevated things, I’m sure a photo lives on somewhere in 3…2…1…
It was his sweet and pleasant personality, no?
The pits. He was the pits.
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