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Kings vs Pacers Preview: Tanks for All The Memories

The Pacers have won two in a row. The Kings have lost three in a row. The 5th highest lotto odds hang in the balance.
By | 48 Comments | Mar 23, 2022

If moral victories counted for anything, the Sacramento Kings would be a Jordan Bulls dynasty. I’ll readily admit that as a viewer, there’s times where I’m even over the reality of this team and just trying to survive till next season. Always next season. Alas, a three point loss to the Phoenix Suns is counted solely as an L in the record books. We’re begging the Kings to sit Fox and an injured Sabonis for the rest of the season to ensure the best odds at a Top 5 pick in the NBA Draft this summer and worrying about Sacramento mucking up a potentially pivotal game… against the 25-47 Pacers, and in return they’re worrying about the Kings right back. Yes, the Kings have a half game lead on the fifth spot in the NBA lottery on the Pacers, who have responded by announcing that Chris Duarte is day to day with a toe injury, Miles Turner still has a squiffy foot, TJ Warren is just chilling for the remainder of the season and Tyrese Haliburton, the former future of the Kings, is questionable due to lower back soreness.

Don’t get it twisted, this is absolutely a game of “Whoever wins, they lose” from a fan’s perspective. Wonder if head-coach-for-the-next-nine-games Alvin Gentry will see it that way… hmm…

Let’s talk Kings basketball!

When: Wednesday, March 23rd, 4:00 PM PT

Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, ID

TV: NBCSCA – Kyle Draper (play-by-play)

RadioKHTK Sports 1140 AM

For Your Consideration

Hurtin’ for a ‘burton: So yeah, as previously mentioned, Hali might not play tonight and while that’s a bit disappointing to hear from a “I miss watching the kid play on the regular”, I’m fine with this being the Buddy Hield revenge game… because, we all know, Buddy is going to absolutely be GUNNING for 50. He’s shooting 32% from 3 during his time with the Pacers, but also 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, so just be conscious that THAT former future of the Kings of the future also has something to prove against this squad. I wish him well in that endeavor, because, either he lays an all-time stinker and that’s funny or he goes on a massive heater and screws his own team’s lotto odds. There won’t be an in-between for our Buddy.

As for the rest of these Pacers tonight: they’re a team with just enough pride that while losing to more teams than they beat, they’re absolute squashing the teams in their immediate vicinity right now in the standings. They beat the the Blazer’s by 31 the other night and the Rockets by 3 a couple days before that, can’t beat the Grizzlies or Hawks but ran over the Spurs. Remember a few years ago where the Kings jumped to #2 and said the basketball gods blessed them for not trying to tank down the stretch? The Pacers are pulling that maneuver, which is going to make tonight’s game real interesting.

Regardless of whether Hali plays tonight: the conversation surrounding this game will be about him, about him admittedly thinking he was untouchable to being in a Pacers uniform, to how all sides of the media’s Living Tribunal think he’s going to lead the league in assists for years but the Kings needed something different, something fast in a bad way. That’s fine, it is what it is. The Kings should take their licks a bit on for that decision and feel fine with their choice to make it, as well. It is still very much too soon to deliver any eulogies for the decision-makers at hand.

I, uhh, I just don’t really need to write a big manifesto about this game today. They’re both injury riddled, they both meh experiences without their main storyline guys out… It’s nine games left and the Kings and Pacers are still just the Kings and Pacers.

Prediction

Buddy goes 1-18 with 9 rebounds and 8 assists just to be an absolute madman. Malcolm Brogdon goes for 30, Neemias Queta gets at least 20 minutes of playing time and battles hard in those minutes against the equally meaty Goga Bitadze. The game goes into four overtimes because neither franchise really wants to win.

Kings: 116, Pacers: 112

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RobHessing
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March 23, 2022 9:46 am

Today’s butt nugget: The Kings longest winning streak of the year is three games, and it occurred Dec. 1-8, bringing the Kings to 11-14. They are 14-34 since, a “winning” percentage of .291.

Klam
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Nostradumbass 18
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March 23, 2022 10:26 am
Reply to  RobHessing

comment image

AmateurNerd
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March 23, 2022 12:05 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Well yeah, but if you take out the 20 games they lost because [perceived valid reason inserted here], they’re undefeated in that span. Next stop: Championship! #KangzLogic

Jman1949
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March 23, 2022 9:50 am

At long last we have the Big Game
Against Tyrese and Buddy by name.
We all know what’s at stake
Is what pick we can take.
A close loss wouldn’t be such a shame!

Klam
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March 23, 2022 10:23 am

Tyrese when he sees his former team:
comment image

andy_sims
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March 23, 2022 11:09 am
Reply to  Klam

lol “comment image”

1951
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March 23, 2022 10:47 am

A “professional” basketball game will be played today.

RobHessing
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March 23, 2022 11:05 am
Reply to  1951

Kings-Pacers and Spurs-Blazers, coming up next!
comment image

Last edited 2 years ago by RobHessing
TerzoM
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March 23, 2022 10:51 am

Let’s go Holiday-Hields
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AmateurNerd
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March 23, 2022 12:06 pm
Reply to  TerzoM

I see Buddy’s spent some more time in the snack room next to the weight room!

Carl
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March 23, 2022 11:30 am

This is going to be the best Buddy Chuckets game ever. My prediction is that Buddy puts up at least 20 shots and doesn’t make more than 6.

RobHessing
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March 23, 2022 11:37 am
Reply to  Carl

3-12 from deep, but hits the game winner and sprints off the floor.

MichaelMack
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March 23, 2022 11:32 am

Have we coined a phrase for the end of the season? I have really enjoyed the recent games against the Suns, Jazz, Bucks, Bulls,, Nuggets, Mavs, and Spurs, and the Kings had only two wins and five losses in those games.

Is it enterain-king?

RobHessing
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March 23, 2022 11:36 am
Reply to  MichaelMack

Ball Sac.

Kosta
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March 23, 2022 2:45 pm
Reply to  MichaelMack

…a phrase for the end of the season?

How about: Lottery Playoffs

Where teams battle it out (and hope to lose the battle).

Ellis5
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March 23, 2022 11:55 am

Kings better win… and when I say win I mean lose…. And when I say lose I mean win!

andy_sims
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March 23, 2022 12:38 pm
Reply to  Ellis5

This…but also that. And possibly The Other.

AmateurNerd
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March 23, 2022 12:09 pm

It’s so interesting to witness Buddy’s transformation since arriving in Sac: From lovable high-motor guy we all loved, to prickly but productive gunner, to apathetic selfish chucker that nobody can stand. For all the talk about Hali and Sabonis, what’s been somewhat lost is the fact that Buddy has not been missed. At. All. Has any Kings fan said to themselves “man, we sure miss Buddy out there” one time in the last month-plus?

andy_sims
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March 23, 2022 12:44 pm
Reply to  AmateurNerd

A guy who has a career shooting nearly 40% on high volume from distance? Why would anybody want that around. We’ve got Harrison Barnes shooting lights out and also…

No one at all.

I have no regrets about the trade, I think it was the right move. But while the Kings have played well since the trade, even in losses, they are impacted by an inability to spread the floor. Hield’s shooting, and Haliburton’s, both need to be replaced. Shooters are more abundant than two-time all-stars, so I’m not concerned about that, but Hield forced defenses to spread out, even when he wasn’t making shots. A team that hopes to succeed still needs what Buddy Hield does, even if not necessarily Buddy Hield.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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March 23, 2022 1:15 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

Yeah, I think they can find a legit shooter, and likely better defender, at a fraction of the cost of Buddy. That was ultimately the reason for moving him.

Kingsguru21
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March 23, 2022 4:27 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

There were only two players you could trade to get Domas. Buddy and Harrison. I don’t think anyone around here would have rather traded Harrison Barnes in that instance.

Adamsite
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March 23, 2022 1:13 pm

Gee…tanks a lot Indy. Brogdon didn’t play in their last game and hasn’t played since last Friday. They’ve won two in a row. It’s officially a race for the 5th lottery spot.

https://twitter.com/JandersonSacBee/status/1506717712248033285

Last edited 2 years ago by Adamsite
Carl
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March 23, 2022 1:45 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Kings are going to win this one by default. At the rate players are being added to the tank list, by 5:00 PM, Jerry Reynolds is going to be offered a 10-day by both teams to run the point, and it’s a Sophie’s Choice for him to choose between the teams.

Last edited 2 years ago by Carl
RobHessing
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March 23, 2022 1:54 pm
Reply to  Carl

Game preview:
comment image

andy_sims
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March 23, 2022 2:17 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

To hell with that, they are not getting that half-game back and jumping to 5.

Starters:
C: Queta
PF: DJones
SF: JJackson
G: Mitchell
G: DiVincenzo

And if any of them look like they might drag the team to a win, you send them to Stockton or cut them at halftime.

SMF-PDXConnection
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March 23, 2022 2:30 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Indy is screwing me in TKH fantasy!

Kosta
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March 23, 2022 2:46 pm

I’m always getting screwed in my fantasy

Kingsguru21
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March 23, 2022 4:30 pm
Reply to  Kosta

You should thank the youngin Gonzo. You’re not going to an easier setup than that….ever.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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March 23, 2022 3:01 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Lol, I just read that Brogdon missed the last game due to “rest.” I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a player list out for “rest” two games in a row. Keep in mind their last game was against PDX, who also is in the hunt for the #5 spot. The tank is strong right now with Indy.

RobHessing
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March 23, 2022 3:04 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I don’t know. Hali and Hield played last game and are playing tonight. Meanwhile our “best” available are probably Barnes and Mitchell.
comment image

Adamsite
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March 23, 2022 3:10 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

I think it could be argued that Brogdon would have been the best player on the court were he not “resting.”

RobHessing
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March 23, 2022 3:14 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Same goes for Fox. My guess is that if a playoff (or even play-in) spot were at stake, he’d be suited.

Adamsite
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March 23, 2022 3:20 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

I’ll admit that I’m partial to Brogdon. I really like his game and think he could be a sneaky get by the Kings since everyone knows the Pacers are looking to move him this summer. He’d be a solid backcourt pairing next to Fox and can facilitate the offense. A Fox, Brogdon, Mitchell, DDV guard rotation is pretty good, IMO.

If the Kings were to land a stretch 4 (at best) Smith Jr. or (at worst) Murray, or even a wing like Griffin in the draft, a solid off guard is the next piece.

Would Indy consider a Holmes, protected first, and filler for Brogdon this summer?

RobHessing
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March 23, 2022 3:32 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Based on what just broke in the Bee about Holmes, I’m not sure that he is going to have any trade value at all this summer. You’d probably have to deal Barnes and maybe a lotto protected 1st to get Brogdon.

Adamsite
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March 23, 2022 3:34 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Yup, that article was a gut punch.

RobHessing
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March 23, 2022 3:44 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I think that does it for me on line today. The kid is either victim or pawn. Either way, what a shitburger for that young child. Literally making me nauseous.

Thanks for the convo, Adam. I’ll be back later.

Adamsite
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March 23, 2022 3:46 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Totally understand, Rob. Makes me sick as too. Be well.

Carl
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March 23, 2022 3:51 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

That’s extremely disappointing to read, and it’s very sad for that poor kid.

In a related matter, the Kings record on domestic violence is dismal, and I fully expect that to continue.

BilboSwaggins
March 23, 2022 2:11 pm

Here is my line for Buddy, do you take the over or under?

1.5 shots within a step of the logo
10.5 threes taken
4.5 threes made
1.5 absolutely boneheaded turnovers

Carl
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March 23, 2022 4:00 pm
Reply to  BilboSwaggins
  1. Under
  2. Way over
  3. Under
  4. Over
TerzoM
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March 23, 2022 2:40 pm

Tyrese is playing.. Woo Hoo

catterj
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March 23, 2022 3:16 pm

Must lose game in Indy. Sincerely rooting for Tyrese to get plenty of revenge today. Buddy is meh, but I guess I hope he goes off too. 5th in lottery position is meaningful. Not for the potential jump but for the potential fall.

DutchKingsFanInUK
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March 23, 2022 3:25 pm

May the best tank win

l2Sqiki7nhZkzQvjq.gif
Adamsite
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March 23, 2022 3:42 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

This could be the end for Holmes. If the allegations are even remotely true that he hurt his own 6 year old son, I don’t want to see him wear the Kings uniform ever again.

Carl
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March 23, 2022 4:05 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I would be absolutely shocked if the Kings doled out any punishment at all. They have a history of no punishment for domestic violence and assault allegations, along with acquiring and keeping players and staff with those allegations. They’ve already tried to cover this up.

The Walton rule applies here. Express “concern,” launch an “independent” investigation which won’t be able to substantiate an incident without a third witness, and then do nothing about it. Or just do what the NFL does and wait for no criminal convention and call it good.

Last edited 2 years ago by Carl
TheGrantNapear
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March 23, 2022 5:04 pm
Reply to  Carl

Luke was never found of any wrong doing.
According to the article, Holmes denies the allegations.
Hopefully, innocent until proven guilty still applies to men and women.

jwalker1395
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March 23, 2022 3:36 pm

Sabonis out, Fox doubtful.

I believe that we can tank!!

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