The Kings are back in action tonight for the start of a home back to back with Giannis Antetokoumpo and the Milwaukee Bucks first on the menu. After a disappointing game on Sunday, the Kings will have to play much better against a much tougher opponent in order to come away victorious.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Tuesday, March 12th, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
The Kings and Bucks played an Overtime thriller in Milwaukee, but it was the Bucks who came out ahead after the Kings missed three free throws in the final 20 seconds and Damian Lillard proceeded to take the ball full court and drain a 32 foot three at the buzzer to win the game. It was the closest the Kings have come to beating the Bucks in awhile, as their last victory against Milwaukee came all the way in 2016.
Three in the Key
The Doctor is in
Since the Kings last played Milwaukee, they’ve made a coaching change, moving on from first year head coach Adrian Griffin and instead going with Doc Rivers. Milwaukee has gone just 10-9 since Rivers took over midseason but the Bucks are playing better defense as of late which was one of the big reasons that Griffin was fired; Under Griffin, the Bucks had a defensive rating of 116.8, 21st in the league. Under Rivers they have a defensive rating on 111.7, tied for 10th in the league. The Bucks are still largely the same team they were at the start of the season personnel wise (Patrick Beverley and Danilo Gallinari were the only additions at the trade deadline), so the defensive improvement has been from within. The Bucks definitely miss having Jrue Holiday in that regard, but Giannis Antetokoumpo and Brook Lopez still form a formidable defensive duo.
Live and Die by the Three
The Kings made a season-low 6 three pointers against the Rockets on Sunday and lost by just 8 points. It was only the fifth time the Kings have made less than 10 three pointers all season. The Kings are definitely a team that depends on the three pointer, going 20-9 when making at least 15 threes, and 28-8 when making better than 35% of their attempts. The Bucks rely on the three to a large extent as well, having gone 23-6 when making at least 15 threes and 36-11 when shooting at least 35%. The Kings allow opponents to shoot a league best 39.8% from three. That’s a big problem against a team that shoots as well as Milwaukee does, especially if the Kings aren’t hitting their own shoots.
A Chance at History
Domantas Sabonis tied the Kings franchise record for consecutive double-doubles on Sunday with 46 and has a chance to break it tonight. It’s rare for a Kings player to actually break a franchise record with legends like Oscar Robertson and Tiny Archibald in the history books but Sabonis has a chance to do so tonight and stand alone. If he does so, the next record in his sights will be the post-merger NBA record of 53 set by Kevin Love. To nobody’s surprise, Wilt Chamberlain holds the overall record at a whopping 227. No matter if Sabonis breaks the record tonight or not, he’s having an all-time year for a Sacramento King, and I don’t want to take him for granted. Enjoy them while they’re here folks.
Prediction
It’s another nailbiter between the Kings and Bucks but Malik Monk gets some measure of redemption for his missed free throws in Milwaukee in January by hitting the game sealing free throws in the final minute.
Kings 124, Bucks 120
Fan Predictions
Link to Leaderboard (Updated 2/21/24)
Well, I guess from this point on I will predict wins against good teams and losses against bad teams in the prediction contest… 😉
Way to jinx it!
Let’s go on 10 game win streak!
In Milwaukee we had the game won—
Just hit free throws and that game was done.
But it wasn’t to be;
Gave it up on Dame’s three.
Some payback tonight would be fun!
+1 Buck Milwaukee!
Hey Akis, are you sure it’s not the Bucks going Kings hunting?
Smear the Deer!
I personally would like Brown to start Keon at the shooting guard for a couple of games and see if it would help even on the offensive side. Keon is definitely a far better defensive player and unlike Mitchell can trade off with Murray because of his height. On the offensive side he would shoot less than Huerter giving Murray especially and Barnes more touches. Huerter would come off the bench where the Kings really need help. Just an idea.
Starting G league players that cannot make an NBA roster on any other team is the key to winning.
The Animal Kingdom, a primer.
Ox:
Fox:
Buck:
GOAT:
Tyga
Buck the trend and win this one Kings.
Live and die by the t(h)ree
I was waiting for it to hit the roof.
Ouch! That’ll leave a mark.
Considering their penchant for playing to the level of their opponent, I expect tonight’s game to be fairly competitive.
Until they blow us out in the last 3-5 minutes.
Should be a fun fanbase tomorrow, tho, can’t wait…!
Badge Legend