Well, I just got done writing 1200 words about that stupid loss to the Lakers, and now I get to jump into thinking about a 3 PM start against the Pacers? No rest for the weary fans of this team, I guess. And hey, if the Kings lose this one they’ll fall to 13-17, will have lost 4 in a row, and will be EEEEEAAAAASSSYYYYYYY pickings for national media to re-litigate the Sabonis/Haliburton trade! No pressure, guys!
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Sunday, December 22st, 3:00 PM PST
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBCSCA
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM
For Your Consideration
The Indiana Pacers have, in many ways, had an even more disappointing start to their season than the Kings. After an injury-assisted run to the Eastern Conference Finals a media-propped-up All NBA selection for Tyrese Haliburton, and an offseason of premature anointing Hali and the Pacers as the next big thing in the East (whoops, it was actually the Cavaliers), the Pacers currently sit at just 13-15 on the season. That record looks better than it did two weeks ago, when the Pacers were 11-15 and had lost 4 of their last 5, including losses to the Pistons, Raptors, Nets, and Hornets. The Pacers have put together a three-game win streak, but those wins came against the 76ers, Pelicans, and the Suns (who have been pretty bad this month). A little momentum goes a long way, but it also reminds us how a couple wins in a row can quickly shift the vibes of a team.
Tyrese Haliburton has bounced back as well after a truly terrible start to the season. He’s still well below where he was pre-injury last season, currently averaging 18 points and 8.7 assists on 35.4% from 3. But those season numbers are still dragged down by his October dumpster fire. His numbers were better in November and continued to improve in December. This month Hali has averaged 19.1 points, 8.8 assists, and is up to 38.6% from 3. In short, don’t get caught up in the early season narratives. Hali has found his footing again and is as dangerous as ever.
The Pacers as a team are top 10 in 3P% at 37.6% for the year, but are just 26th in 3PAs, averaging fewer three point attempts per game than the Kings. Sacramento has made a habit of giving opponents ample opportunities from beyond the arc, and the Pacers are a team that could really punish the Kings from deep. But the Kings enter this game with a better offensive rating and a better defensive rating than the Pacers. The Pacers are coming off 2 days of rest, while the Kings are on a back to back. And the Kings have made a habit of shitting the bed the last few weeks, so I take nothing for granted at this point, but the Kings should have a chance to win this game if they can pull their heads out of their collective asses.
A win quiets down the noise and allows us a couple days of peace until after the holiday. A loss amplifies the noise around this team’s failures to a new high. Will the Kings bring us a lump of coal, or peace on Earth?
Prediction
Monk gets hot, Sabonis has 20/20, Keon Ellis is +12 in 7 minutes.
Kings 132, Pacers 118
All set for Tyrese returning—
Both teams’ current season concerning
The good vibes from that trade
Have now dimmed, I’m afraid.
Hope Monte addresses our yearning!
+1 The season is quickly slip sliding away!
&ct=g
Gonna be at the game today with my Dad. We still haven’t seen the beam in person….so here’s hoping. Although out of all the games I’ve seen at the Golden 1 Center, I’ve only seen them win one time….
Hoping for you and your Dad that it will be a fun game.
Good luck Klam! LTB!
Let’s have some enjoyment, people!
Raiders of the Lost Beam?
You predict that Keon in 7 minutes scored 12. Guess what Brown will now pull him and probably won’t play him the rest of the game.
As I said yesterday if no Sabonis, Murray and Lyles don’t play today who is the center. Hey Momte this is one of the flaws that plague this team. Good luck Issac Jones. If you combine Len and Robinson together you might get 10 points in the game.
Yeah that was the joke, that Ellis would be really good but only play 7 minutes.
How ’bout we send Fox back with the Pacers and keep Tyrese in Sacramento?
I have always thought the Haliburton had to go because he was the player everyone wanted.
Badge Legend