The Kings and Warriors enter tonight’s matchup in the midst of turning points for both franchises. The Kings have won 9 of 11 under new head coach Doug Christie, appearing rejuvenated after a woeful start to the season. Meanwhile the Warriors have gone 9-18 since a 12-3 start and are fresh off their worst home loss since 1985. These two franchises are currently going in opposite directions but if there’s anything we’ve learned from the past few seasons, it’s that Kings-Warriors games tend to get crazy no matter what. Hopefully the Kings can keep their momentum going as they head into one of the toughest road trips of the season.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Wednesday, January 22nd, 7:00 PM PST
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: ESPN, NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM
For Your Consideration
The Warriors are in disarray right now, having just lost by 40 at home to the Celtics on Monday. They’re banged up as well, and will be entering tonight’s matchup in Sacramento without the services of Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Kyle Anderson or Brandon Podziemski. That makes the Warriors smaller than even the Kings. However, it doesn’t mean the Warriors aren’t dangerous. This is a team with the best shooter of all time after all. We’ve seen Steph Curry drop 50 in this very arena before, and if the Kings aren’t aggressive in limiting his opportunities, Curry is more than capable of carrying the Warriors to victory by himself. The Kings know that better than almost anyone given how frequently they’ve played this Warriors team over the last three years, and I expect Coach Christie’s gameplan will be focused on keeping the ball out of Curry’s hands and making other Warriors players beat us.
In Sacramento’s first matchup against the Warriors this season, the Kings dominated from the tip and never let up. The end result was a 129-99 Kings victory in San Francisco, and the Kings did that without the services of De’Aaron Fox, who will be playing tonight. Malik Monk led the way for the Kings with 26 points and 12 assists, and Domantas Sabonis added 22 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists. Steph Curry had a decent game with 26 points, but got little help besides that. The Kings managed to outshoot the Warriors from distance, making 19 of 43 threes compared to just 12 of 35 for Golden State. That’s been a trend for the Warriors all season, as they’ve gone just 4-9 when making 12 or fewer threes, but 12-6 if they hit at least 15. Keeping the Warriors off the three point line is going to be important, especially with the small ball they are likely to play tonight.
Golden State’s lack of size also means the Kings should feature Domantas Sabonis heavily. In their last matchup, Sabonis thoroughly outplayed Trayce Jackson-Davis, shooting 10-13 from the field while Jackson-Davis only took 3 shots and missed all of them, while grabbing just 2 rebounds in almost 18 minutes of action. Kevon Looney fared a bit better, but this isn’t the same Domantas Sabonis that the Warriors exploited in the playoffs a couple of years ago. If you leave Domantas Sabonis wide open now, he is going to punish you. Sabonis is currently leading the league in 3P% at a ridiculous 48.4% on 2.4 attempts a game.
For the Kings, this is a very important game as it’s the last home game they’ll play this month, with only two more home games remaining until the All-Star break. The Kings have won their last six home games in a row, and are back up to .500 at home with a 12-12 record. Given how tight the NBA standings currently are, each game is incredibly important, especially against opponents like the Warriors that are right there with the Kings. A loss tonight could see the Kings drop from 8th to 11th, while a win could put the Kings up to 7th if the Mavericks also lose. It would also give you a heads up on potential tie breakers with the Warriors if the Kings are able to secure the first two games of the season series. As De’Aaron Fox said after yesterday’s practice, Sacramento’s mentality has to be to “kick them while they’re down”.
Prediction
Domantas Sabonis makes it his personal mission to dunk as often as possible on this Warriors team, and puts together a career-night as the Kings complete a perfect homestand.
Kings 124, Warriors 111
Punch hard and punch fast since we’ve probably got a schedule loss tomorrow night.
Kings gonna give nuggets a trap game upper cut tomorrow. We’ll see coach Malone complain about lack of focus!
Let’s kick the Warriors while they down!
If it’s possible for the 43rd game of the season to be critical, this would qualify.
The Dubs have been losing their luster
Struggling for lineups to muster.
And as to their coaching—
Alleged flops, reproaching—
Let’s beat them to answer his bluster!
+1 Smoke the Warriors!
&ct=g
Take their joy! All of it.
Kéon: The Professional
The vibes are immaculate.
🙂
Random broadcast question.
Yes I realize it’s on ESPN tonight and doesn’t apply.
We just signed up for YoutubeTV. Am I correct/incorrect in assuming Kings games are blacked out if I’m in Sacramento?
YouTubeTV has NBC Sports California that covers Kings games.
I’ve never had an issue with getting Kings games on YouTube TV. Generally, it’s Giants baseball games that can seem to be a crap shoot with some other services delivering the feed.
The only problem I’ve had with YTTV is that they will divert Kings games from the the NBC Sports CA channel to NBC Sports Plus especially if there’s a conflict with Sharks games.
If you’re in Sacramento? Or not in Sacramento? Kings games are blacked out on YTTV if you are not in the Sacramento metro area. It geolocates based on IP.
If you travel to a different coverage area you will be able to watch the local sports teams’ broadcasts of that area. (It will also ask you if you are just travelling or permanently relocating so it can update your channel info.)
TY. I’m actually two miles outside of the city limits but in SAC Co. We’ll see.
You’ll be fine. I’m in Yolo county, Kings are available, Ws are blacked out.
Perfect, thanks. Wave to me when I ride by on my bicycle, I spend a lot of time on the Yolo/Solano country roads. Too much time, to be honest.
Cool, am also in Yolo!
<wave>
Time for some more jersey swapping.
Get the win tonight since the Kings will likely lose tomorrow in Denver. Need to rack up as many wins as we can get before this brutal six game road trip.
Nothing would make me happier then the Kings completely destroying the Dubs tonight and thus convincing Dunleavy he has to sell the farm for Jimmy Butler.
If he really did do that, wonder what he’d give up.
LOL, this is like those scenes in movies when they cut the blue wire on the bomb when they should have cut the red wire, and then the timer jumps from 10 minutes to 60 seconds.
If the Dubs were to swing for Jimmy I’d imagine any offer begins with Wiggins and Kuminga then fills in from there.
That would be amazing. Anything is possible but I seriously can’t imagine Jimmy and Draymond getting along.
That’s the best part! A Dray/Buckets locker room would be riotous!
Suns don’t unrestricted trade their only remaining FRP (2030), have Bradley Beal lift his trade restriction to not get Jimmy Buckets, who also stated that Phoenix was one of his desired spots. This is Agent/GM/player backroom stuff.
Now – where Beal ends up is the next question. It seemed a straight JB for BB swap would straightforward work – but hold on – there is a glitch; Fanspo points out that both teams are over-aproned. Miami cannot except Beal as he is $1.4M higher in salary than Butler and they are hard capped and unable to accept more incoming salary. So there is talk of Khris Middleton – (a measly $31.6M) but Milwaukee is also 2nd Apron.
Thus a fourth team, at least, must be involved. Cash Considerations will most certainly be involved in this deal with most, if not all, of these teams.
I sure hope The Athletic has a way to work this out.
Which is why I keep floating this one:
Dubs get: Butler and Larsson
Heat get: Wiggins and DDR
Kings get Kuminga, Anderson, and Looney
Suns and Butler – in my mind, as I mention above – is a deal I can’t see beyond.
In my mind – seeing how Deebo has played these Christie coached days, and how he is used and that a second clutch player is a need for this team, Fox is not enough, and maybe, just maybe Monk has improved enough to be that guy, but I don’t think so, I don’t think DDR gets traded.
I tried your trade in Fanspo – and I am impressed! The money washes out well for each squad. Well done! I don’t think it happens though. (The Suns stuff I mention above)
I can’t figure out a trade of Beal for Butler since both are apron teams.
Butler and Burks for Beal works on Fanspo for me. Shows the Suns use a TPE for Burks, and both teams save money…
You’re right, it does work. I would just think Miami would want more than the ghost of Beal and 3 lousy late first round picks.
Miami really needs to make the playoffs this year due to the pick obligations they have. If they miss the playoffs, they keep this year’s pick, but lose 2 future ones and tie up other obligations. Should they make the playoffs, they lose this year’s pick but free up future obligations. They are in a bit of a pickle.
Associated question:
We’ve reviewed the needs and desires during this trade deadline season in this community for some time now.
What do you put the expectations that Let’s Make A Deal Monte
A. Cam Johnson (there was more chatter on my X feed today. Stuff about a FRP, Nets want unrestricted, Kings not willing to do that)
B. John Collins
C. Unknown (Valanciunas, Vukevic, Voldemort, Vader, etc.
D. No deals pan out. Kings stay, as is.
Associated question #2:
Kevin Huerter traded? (part of frontcourt trade or separately)
Yes?
No?
C and Yes
I don’t see how Valanciunas works as the Wiz want draft capital and the Kings don’t really have a contract to send over.
Huerter for Jusuf Nurkic is such a simpler and cleaner trade, and won’t cost the Kings anything.
totally agree about JV, and he’s not appropriate for FRP and Colby Jones and a 2nd rounder doesn’t seem enough (I don’t think they trade Lyles, but could, as he is also an expiring).
I’ve been looking at this Tax Tracker and specifically at teams that are slightly above the Lux Tax (DAL, NOP, LAC, CLE) and seeing what they need to do to dip below. (yes, Ballmer has more than enough to spend tax amounts), but I believe it is both prudent and wise to be out of the tax bracket with the multiplier rule)
I had not explored that tax tracker link before. Thanks for sharing! Seeing what PHX is paying in tax makes a Nurkic for Huerter trade make all the more sense.
Huerter for Nurkic saves the Suns $1.2m. Maybe the Kings get back one of those picks the Suns acquired.
Next level comedy right there, thank you for being you.
Going out with a bang!
Wuck the Farriors!
LOL, love how in the picture the background says “DEFENSE” as Domas slams the ball down their gullets.
Need for this to be a decisive win to let the starters rest a bit for tomorrow. Wouldn’t be surprised, but would be disappointed, if this ends up being close.
I can’t log in…. Oh wait never mind
Rough news for Minny, with DDV having a grade 3 sprained toe. He had been moved into the starting lineup and taking a chunk of the ball handling duties, as Conley is washed and they have no point guards on the roster. They are going to have some struggles unless Edwards & Julius can both be on a heater.
Lively just got hurt for the Mavs too, and will be re-evaluated in a month, which does not sound good for him. They had been hoping to use Gafford as a trade piece to find a wing, but now he is starting, and his backup is Maxi Kleiber, who has fallen off a cliff. Averaging 3pts & 3reb in nineteen minutes a game, shooting 39% from the field, 26% from three. YIKES. Luka Diaw is still a week or two away. Their roster is funky to me, I wonder if they slide.
You know the season is close to the ASG, because LeBron is on his annual “the way the roster is constructed” remarks to the press. Both he and AD have been healthy, and I think the Lakers are worse than their record, they seem a teensy bit fragile too.
I think a stomping of the Dubs tonight is gonna put a punctuation mark on their spiral, and hopefully Ishbia makes another funky Suns trade to really water down their sauce.
I think there is a real lane for the Kings to make a run and firmly put themselves in the 5/6 seed if they can do a good job on this road trip.
I think whether the Kings make the postseason or not is heavily going to depend on how lucky we can get health-wise. Barring a major injury, they definitely could move up a few spots the standings.
And suddenly, things aren’t so grim. The West is consistently homogenous near the midway point, with a bunch of teams within a couple of games at all the important seeding positions.
I was thinking back today on an early stretch of the season where we had something along the lines of 3 games in 5 nights like 3 or 4 times in a row, to where at one point we had played 7 games in 10, or something really egregious like that and wondered A) how much that may have played a part in the Kings early woes and B) how many other teams had to deal with that kind of scheduling? Seems like there are a bunch of teams going through the meat grinder right now. Here’s to us being able to take full advantage of that, stay healthy, and climb the rankings.
Let’s go Kings!
“Stomp them in the chest while they’re down”
Badge Legend