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Kings vs Mavs Preview: Flat First Theories

The Kings are on the second night of a back to back against Kyrie Irving and MAYBE Luka Doncic?
By | 49 Comments | Feb 11, 2023

The Sacramento Kings are back in action tonight after a really nice final three quarters of good basketball, including some stellar defense in the fourth, to cover up an nasty, ugly, insurmountably bad first frame. The proposition of tonight’s game at the Golden 1 gets even more difficult, with the prospect of Luka Doncic returning to the line-up. Can De’Aaron Fox keep his All-Star selection attitude and score on this Dallas team at will? Can Keegan Murray find a way to get any closer to my heart? Will Domantas Sabonis and Friends finally solve the mystery of why referees hate him so damn much?

Let’s talk Kings basketball!

When: Saturday, February 11th, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

For Your Consideration

Seein’ Pythagorean: Well, that was something yesterday, wasn’t it. After spotting the Mavericks a 20 point lead and a 45 point first quarter, the highest scoring team in the league found a bit of pride, fought back to within five in the fourth and then didn’t have enough gas in the tank to finish the job. The battle between All-Star point guards was as advertised: Fox with 33-6-5 with his regular display of clutch time points was both necessary and almost, dare I say, routine, for the first timer to the big game next week. Kyrie Irving wound up with 25 points and 10 assists, but the dude had to work for a lot of those points, shooting 5-14 from the field with 3 of those shots being long balls. Seeing Kyrie just get to be Kyrie out there, without a Durant or a Doncic, is a reminder of just how talented the guy is, when healthy and not sitting in front of any device that can record sound. Last night’s game was death by a thousand cuts: with six players scoring between eleven and seventeen points – a spread out scoring attack from bench guys and starters alike. Remember when our bench felt elite for a decent length of time this season? Would love to feel that feeling again someday.

Tonight’s game all hinges on the availability of Doncic. We’ve seen the Kings play well against the Mavs for three straight quarters. It’s never easy to survive allowing the opposing team to order up a 20 piece advantage on you in any quarter, but the Kings did nearly as well as you could by the end of the game to reclaim that. They can beat a Kyrie-solo squad. Luka and Kyrie? A different question.

Obviously I wrote yesterday’s preview with the understanding that Luka would be back LAST night. There will be a lot of confusion, a lot of coach Jason Kidd trying to figure out where in the hell he’s going to stagger his two stars. This isn’t a four game series, it’s one night of basketball at the start of their time together – the Kings can slip into this game’s confusion and steal a win. Hell, they could walk into tonight and take one outright if the bench decided to show up, Harrison Barnes got back to his style of play and Kevin Huerter could hit literally anything from long range. The Kings don’t have to be underdogs to the team below them in the standings.

It remains to be seen if they allow themselves to be.

Prediction

Kings drop 150. Everyone scores in bunches. The sun never sets on the Kingdom. One lone Kings Herald writer/editor in attendance weeps for joy.

Kings: 150, Mavs: 115

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HongKongKingsFan
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February 11, 2023 8:04 am

Seeing McGee tipping out those offensive rebound is really sad to see…

No length inside the paint for the Kings…resulting in lots of 2nd chance points for the Mavs..

I really think Mike Brown should play Alex Len (At least to match the size of McGee).

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
February 11, 2023 9:30 am

But according to NBA.com Sabonis at 7’1″ towers over 7′ McGee! LOL!

Putthegundown
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February 11, 2023 8:13 am

why do we even have bigs on the roster if Mike never lets them play. Total waste of money if you ask me.

ArcoThunder
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February 11, 2023 3:20 pm
Reply to  Putthegundown

He came from a championship warriors team where their center is 6,8”.

makes a ton of sense to me.

Last edited 1 year ago by ArcoThunder
BabalooMagoo
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February 11, 2023 8:45 am

Didn’t we just do this?

AnybodyButBagley
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February 11, 2023 9:25 am

Can they give up 60 in the first quarter?

I think they can.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
February 11, 2023 9:36 am

They gave up 50 to the Warriors in the 2nd quarter this year, so anything is possible.

AnybodyButBagley
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February 11, 2023 10:36 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I am imagining Luka playing with Kyrie tonight. Both players need to be double teamed but the Kings cannot manage a simple zone defense. Could be cruel……,

RikSmits
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February 11, 2023 1:08 pm

People saying that Luka and Irving won’t mash. Irving managed to do well when he played with LBJ and also with a healthy Durant.

I think Luka and Irving will do fine together. Will their depleted roster come back and bite them in the ass? Possibly.

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February 11, 2023 1:25 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

I will be off the record here, so please don’t quote me. I maintain full deniability as to the veracity of my information.

but unofficially, a former NBA front office personnel who might have been a GM was allegedly heard to say that they were worried that Kyrie might take the ball out of Luka’s hands.

I will let you digest that! This person believes having someone who runs the floor and has an amazing second jump, would be much more valuable.

Again, please don’t quote me or my “sources”.

ArcoThunder
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February 11, 2023 3:39 pm

Was your source George Karl? That guy had a way with words/fucking everything up.

AnybodyButBagley
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February 11, 2023 8:56 pm

That second jump is sexy.

Bluejohn
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February 11, 2023 4:23 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

As the most knowledgeable Hoops analyst in all of Holland and Belgium I have to agree with your take. I think Kyrie can play with anybody but I do wonder how Kyrie is going to do as the 2nd offensive option with Luca clearly being the star in a way KD wasn’t.

AnybodyButBagley
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February 11, 2023 8:54 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

Kyrie can bite them in the ass without any help from others. I think it works as long as Kyrie is interested in making it work.

ArcoThunder
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February 11, 2023 3:33 pm

Take it easy Trey Lyles Dad

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February 11, 2023 9:39 am

All I know is that if the Kings were 18-36 at the 14th spot in the West and 5th worst record in the League with 28 games to go in the Wembanyama Sweepstakes, that no matter the roster, the trade deadline moves, the injury report, no matter the Coach – Sacramento would find a way, to go 14-14 or better to end up with 32 wins and the 10th spot in this lottery. I jut know it all the way down to my Bones (Hyland, even).

But because they really need to finish these last 30 games at .500 or better, they won’t.

There – I spilled some of my antique Kangz stained blood because I can’t help it. I look forward, with equal parts dread and eager excitement as this last part of the season is in full swing.

LIGHT THE BEAM! 🙏🎤🤞🟣😱

ArcoThunder
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February 11, 2023 3:46 pm

i vote this as comment of the year!!!

“Sacramento would find a way, to go 14-14 or better to end up with 32 wins and the 10th spot in this lottery” = PURE GOLD

RattleSeattle96
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February 11, 2023 7:14 pm

Why the negativity besides the obvious 16 years? The team hasn’t gone on a prolonged losing streak all year and has shown time and again they respond. We win this one by 6.

Jman1949
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February 11, 2023 9:41 am

Two more games to get to the break;
Can’t believe playoff seeding’s at stake.
Soon there’ll be time to rest;
For this game give our best.
Two-game sweep we can’t let the Mavs take!!

Kingsguru21
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February 11, 2023 10:16 am

Remember when our bench felt elite for a decent length of time this season? Would love to feel that feeling again someday.

I do remember it. But this bench is largely dependent on Davion Mitchell scoring more, Monk being his best self, getting the best Trey Lyles and Metu doing Metu-things (which he did last night). That just didn’t happen.

For chrissake, don’t let Christian FUCKING Wood go off again. That was embarrassing last night, it will embarrassiing until the end of time, and it will never stop be embarrassing. Just….make it stop. Never again. Anybody but that guy. ANYBODY.

This isn’t a four game series, it’s one night of basketball at the start of their time together – the Kings can slip into this game’s confusion and steal a win. Hell, they could walk into tonight and take one outright if the bench decided to show up, Harrison Barnes got back to his style of play and Kevin Huerter could hit literally anything from long range. The Kings don’t have to be underdogs to the team below them in the standings.

comment image

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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February 11, 2023 10:19 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

How did Christian Wood go off? He was well below his season averages.

Kingsguru21
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February 11, 2023 10:36 am
Reply to  Adamsite

13 points in 5 minutes qualifies as going off.

AnybodyButBagley
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February 11, 2023 10:47 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Wood was at least held below average.

So how you describe the first quarter?

A kid in the seats could have put twenty on them.

Kingsguru21
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February 11, 2023 10:57 am

They were down 19-17 with 5:15 to go in the 1st. They lost the next 3 minutes 17-2.

They didn’t lose the 1st qtr. They lose THREE MINUTES WHEN WOOD WAS ON THE COURT.

Read the PBP. It’s not that hard to understand.

AnybodyButBagley
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February 11, 2023 12:53 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Is 17 + 19 equal to 45?

Pretty sure Wood was not the only one scoring.

Kingsguru21
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February 11, 2023 6:49 pm

Who said 17 + 19 = 45? Nobody. That’s cute, even for you.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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February 11, 2023 3:57 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Ok, so why anybody but that guy?

Kingsguru21
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February 11, 2023 6:38 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I don’t like Christian Wood. I never have. You don’t have to get it Adam. There’s no requirement for it.

ArcoThunder
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February 11, 2023 3:48 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

ANYBODY!

anybody but Bagley?

AnybodyButBagley
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February 11, 2023 8:47 pm
Reply to  ArcoThunder

He is not very conversational today.

Kosta
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February 11, 2023 10:38 am

Missed the game last night and don’t know everything that happened.

Will Monk be playing tonight? Or is he out for awhile?

🙁

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February 11, 2023 10:50 am
Reply to  Kosta

Bad right ankle twist, maybe a bit of knee. He walked off and didn’t return.

I expect him in street clothes for a few. But maybe not – and if they put a band-aid on it…could be Brilliant!

ArcoThunder
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February 11, 2023 3:50 pm

Good thing we didn’t trade TD an Holmes for Plumlee

Kosta
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February 11, 2023 5:37 pm

thx!

Yeah, Bandaid Monk to the rescue!

Last edited 1 year ago by Kosta
Marty
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February 11, 2023 10:49 am

Excited to make another trip to G1C tonight,
it’s been awhile.

I’ll be the one in green face paint and Eagles jersey. 😙

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February 11, 2023 10:54 am
Reply to  Marty

So that would be…

Light the Bowl!

wait, wait -that’s doesn’t mean what I had hope it to mean

Hope your teams win.

RPO
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RPO
February 11, 2023 11:13 am

This time don’t wait until garbage time to decide to actually start playing.

Last edited 1 year ago by RPO
SelecaoKOJ
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February 11, 2023 1:40 pm

Oddly enough. Wood only played 12 minutes. Expect to see a much bigger dose tonight. Luka to Wood is one of the leagues Top 5 pick and roll combo’s. Smart move by Kidd to wait until Luka returns to ramp up the minutes.

it’s going to be tough because Luka demands a double. Not really any one on the Kings that can defend him. Because he can kill you a lot of other ways even if he’s not scoring.

if Monk is out, that means someone else is going to have to bring it.

Bluejohn
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February 11, 2023 4:34 pm
Reply to  SelecaoKOJ

Genuine question here: Who can defend Luca?

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February 11, 2023 2:09 pm
Reply to  Klam

Hello Kessler Edwards!

ArcoThunder
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February 11, 2023 3:53 pm

Actually…. I’m all in on this. Put him on Luka for 30 minutes tonight. Fuck it.

RPO
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February 11, 2023 2:59 pm
Reply to  Klam

Next man up!

BeTheBall
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February 11, 2023 3:37 pm
Reply to  Klam

Neither really surprises me. Malik seemed to be a given to miss the game, and you could tell that thigh hit really messed with Sabonis.

ArcoThunder
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February 11, 2023 3:52 pm
Reply to  Klam

Like I said above (just minus a detail at the end)… good thing we didn’t trade TD and Holmes.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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February 11, 2023 4:12 pm
Reply to  ArcoThunder

Would it have made a difference? You really think Holmes and TD can pick up the slack with Monk and Sabonis out?

BeTheBall
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February 11, 2023 4:51 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I think TD can definitely pick up Monk’s slack. Better outside shooter and defender.

Kingsguru21
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February 11, 2023 6:42 pm
Reply to  Klam

I hope Domas sits. He wasn’t as effective last night, even before that hit to the thigh.

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February 11, 2023 5:11 pm

I am having a fun watch of the new look Nets giving it to the Sixers.

Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Royce O’Neal, Spencer Dimwiddie and the suddenly wild Cam Thomas. And Nic Claxton making dome noise. Ben Simmons, And Joe Harris. And Doc River’s son-in-law on the bench. Patty Mills and Yuta Watanabe.

Ton of athletes who can defend and some well known shooters. Fun Fun. Fun. Close game

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