The Kings are back to business after three days of Christmas festivities and looking to shake off the hangover of a few ugly losses to sub-par opponents. Standing in their way tonight? The current Best-in-the-West, Denver Nuggets, with two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and a hot streak of seven wins in their last eight games. I promised I’ve held off on writing this hoping for an official update on whether Domantas Sabonis is playing tonight or not, last official reports were that he was going to try to play through and last unofficial reports were that he wasn’t shooting around today to… its a great big shrug on my end. Time and previews wait for no man… except, obviously, in cases like this when they do.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Tuesday, December 27th, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
For Your Consideration
The Jok’s on You: We might as well jump into the bummer stuff first here. I’ll try to to keep that real urge to “now is the winter of our discontent” at bay as best I can, but, if its true, if the thumb on the right hand of Domas causes him to miss an extended period of time, Kings fans may be looking into a beamless night sky more often than not for a decent stretch of time. Obviously, we don’t want that, or at least, I certainly don’t. Obviously, he’s going to attempt to play through it and keep this team, and their playoff hopes, afloat for the time being. Obviously, being a fan of the Kings and, more frequently, an observer of the Kangz, I don’t hold much hope for long term good news. We’ve seen reports that range from two games missed to twenty-five games missed depending on the severity of the strain. We’ve heard vague details that indicate that he’s gonna play through, if possible, and it sounds like those present for shoot around didn’t see jack-squat of the guy. It means nothing, it means everything. Sucks that it happened and the Kings, already wide at the center position, but not particularly deep will be in a world of hurt if the engine of their offense has to miss time with a dinged piston.
That world of hurt starts tonight with the Nuggets dropping by for games on back-to-back nights. Nikola Jokic is doing everything that Sabonis is doing, just another rung higher on the history ladder. Already a two-time MVP, Jokic may be leading the pack yet again for Denver – averaging 25.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, 9.4 assists with 1.5 steals to boot. Jokic is an all-timer, an absolute freak of nature, a terrifying opponent even with Sabonis, and a grim inevitability for this Kings squad without their starting center. Jokic needs no further hype.
Jamal Murray is back for his first healthy season since The Bubble and while still adjusting a bit to his return, is averaging 18.1 points and 5.6 assists on 43.7% from the field and 35.6% from deep. Forwards Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. provide scoring boosts for the Nugs as well. Gordon in particular has been a surprising punch, averaging 17.5 points per games, a single tenth of a point shy of his career high scoring back in his fourth season with Orlando. He’s scoring efficiently, hitting 39% from deep (on less than three attempts a game, mind you) and shooting 61.1% from the field overall, which still being the team’s best defender. Porter Jr. still has a back with the compressive strength of wet, expired Cheetos but he’s also going to shoot 40% from deep on 6 attempts in every game that he’s physically allowed to play in. Jokic, with menial production from these guys, will absolutely beat the Kings. They all have the ability to pop off for 30, 40 points on a good night. The Kings sometimes there, sometimes nowhere defense will absolutely HAVE to be there at the Golden 1 Center tonight.
As a team, the Nuggets are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating, the 6th highest scoring team in the league and run at a just below average pace. Their defense is bottom-seven in the league, they allow opponents to score just above average and are general pretty pedestrian overall on that end of the floor. We’ve got two games in a row with these guys, lets save some stats for tomorrow night’s game.
Okay. Hope you all had a nice little holiday break. If you’re going to the game tonight and see a guy rocking a Lady Bird sweatshirt and a hat with a gold Kings logo… it definitely ISN’T me. Definitely don’t come and say what’s up and definitely DON’T, under any circumstances, offer to buy not-me a beer.
Prediction
De’Aaron goes for 40. Malik Monk outscores Jamal Murray, hell, Kegan Murray outscores Jamal Murray. Jokic has a bananas stat line and Bones Hyland decides to pop off for 22 points. Game goes down to the final seconds, Neemias Queta tips in a shot at the buzzer to win it.
Kings: 131, Nuggets: 129
Is the reason that Queta tips in the winning shot because Sabonis has fouled out, or because his thumb is causing problems?
I see the game closing with those two guys, plus Len, Holmes, and Metu on the floor. We’re going to be so big that the league fines the Kings for making the twenty-nine other franchises feel insecure.
The appeal will be in the courts for decades.
I predict a single digit loss. Only too bad that it’s Domas’ thumb.
Very clever!
I thumb my knows at you
Not sure do I thumbs up or down?
That’s nice work, Rik.
Now the Nuggets come in for a pair
And we won’t have to gasp at thin air.
Domas’ injured right thumb
Could turn us into chum.
Against Joker that doesn’t seem fair!
I’ll be going to the game tonight with my family. First live game I’ll be at since three years ago. Hoping for at least an entertaining game to watch!
Enjoy! Don’t buy not-Will a beer.
I decide to wear a Lady Bird sweatshirt the same night you go to your first game in three years…
Every team has injuries to their star players. Now it’s the Kings turn. Let’s see how they respond. It really sucks that they gave away the Cha and Was games. Could’ve used those two wins. Buckle up. Time for Fox to explode.
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