Kings vs. Lakers Preview and Predictions: California Beamin’

De’Aaron Fox is back and the Kings are on a bit of a roll now after winning three in a row.  All those games were at home though, and now the Kings are on the road for the first of a six-game trip, starting tonight against LeBron James and the L.A. Lakers.  The Kings have only won one road game so far, so they’ll be looking to turn around their fortunes on that front.  Plus, the game is on ESPN in front of a national audience so let’s put on a show.

Let’s talk Kings basketball!

When: Wednesday, November 15th, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
TV: ESPN, NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

Three in the Key

Push the Pace

The Lakers are coming into tonight on the second night of back-to-back, albeit in a blowout victory against Memphis that meant none of their starters had to play overly long or intensely.  Still, the Kings are the younger, more rested team and should be looking to push the pace as much as possible.  De’Aaron Fox especially has been trouble for the Lakers in recent years, and L.A. will still be without their best perimeter defender in Jarred Vanderbilt.  If Sacramento can get out and running, I don’t think the Lakers can keep up.

Size Matters

On the other side, the Lakers are much bigger than the Kings are, and part of that is due to their depth.  In Sacramento’s earlier matchup with the Lakers this season, guys like Christian Wood and Rui Hachimura had excellent games but limited minutes. It was actually a bit surprising that Darvin Ham went away from them towards the end of the game and went smaller instead and I feel that was a big reason why Sacramento was able to pull away in overtime and come away with the victory. If I had to guess, I would think the Lakers have probably reevaluated that matchup based on the film and we’ll be seeing some more of those guys, and that’s not even counting Anthony Davis, who has been off to a phenomenal start to the season, averaging 23.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and a league leading 3.3 blocks a game so far.  The Lakers have also beefed up the size in their starting unit since the last time we faced them, moving Austin Reaves to the bench and promoting 6’8 forward Cam Reddish.  The Kings have been playing better defense as of late, but it will require a team effort to keep the Lakers out of the paint and hopefully settling for more jumpers where they’re less effective.

Keegan vs. King James

Keegan Murray has been asked to do a lot on both ends of the floor this season and tonight will likely be no different as he will probably draw defensive duty on LeBron James.  He has already gone up against James once this season and LeBron definitely got the best of him, scoring 27 points on 11-19 from the field.  Keegan has been playing better as of late, and had a tremendous game against the Cavaliers with perhaps the best two-way game of his career, scoring 25 points while also helping hold Cleveland star guard Donovan Mitchell to just 22 points on 33.3% from the field.  Murray has done better in matchups where he has size and length against his opponent however, and that won’t be the case against James.  The key for Keegan will be to stay out of foul trouble and also make LeBron work on the other end.  LeBron is a capable shooter as well, but he’s far more dangerous when he’s got a head of steam going towards the basket, so keeping him out of the paint and on the perimeter will be a priority.  It should be a fun matchup and hopefully Keegan is up for the challenge.

Prediction

Malik Monk teaches his former team a lesson by leading the game in scoring off the bench with 35 points as the Kings comfortably beat the Lakers to start the road trip off on the right foot.

Kings 131, Lakers 114

Fan Predictions