The Western Conference Standings are pretty neatly sorted into three tiers. There’s a clear top four, a clear 5-10, and a clear bottom five. Barring some truly wacky late-season shenanigans, the tiers themselves are unlikely the change much, just the order within those tiers. The Kings are firmly in that 5-10 group, and the order of that group changes daily. After some key losses by other teams over the weekend, the Kings currently sit 6th in the West. Every win and every loss, by every team in that tier, they all matter down the stretch. If the Kings want to avoid the play-in, they need to take advantage of every opportunity the rest of the way.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Monday, March 4th, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
The Kings beat the Bulls 123-115 on February 3rd. The Kings jumped up to an early lead, up by as many as 30, but collapsed in the third quarter and allowed Chicago back into the game. Some late game heroics from De’Aaron Fox secured the victory.
Three in the Key
Effort and Execution
In Friday’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, we saw the Kings execute at a high level for a full game plus overtime. The result was a big road win against one of the best teams in the West, even without De’Aaron Fox, who sat with a knee injury. Fox is questionable leading into today’s game, so the Kings could once again be without their star point guard. The Bulls have already shown the Kings what will happen if Sacramento takes their foot off the gas. Following a players-only meeting after the Denver loss, can the Kings maintain their focus against a weaker opponent?
Protect the Ball
The Chicago Bulls are a pesky team. The rank 10th in league in steals per game, and are 2nd best in the NBA for turnovers committed per game. Alex Caruso is questionable for this game, which would be a big blow to Chicago’s defense, but the Bulls still have length and the ability to disrupt passing lanes, which is generally a good way to give the Kings fits. In their previous matchup the Kings committed 16 turnovers, but also forced 16 turnovers from the Bulls.
Make your free throws
This key to the game is making its triumphant return following the return of the Kings late-game free throw yips. Malik Monk missed two key free throws towards the end of overtime. Malik hilariously addressed the issue on the post game show with Deuce and Mo:
Asking Malik Monk for more more made free throws at the end of the conversation led to this very genuine response😂https://t.co/jIMeZQEsWQ pic.twitter.com/NodinNSWJC
— Morgan Ragan (@momoragan) March 2, 2024
Prediction
Sabonis continues his domination, taking the ball straight at Nikola Vucevic early and often. Sabonis has another triple double, Monk is perfect from the line, and the Kings cruise to victory.
Kings 125, Bulls 103
Fan Predictions
Link to Leaderboard (Updated 2/21/24)
We gotta take this one. It’s ours! OUR HOUSE!
That’s why it’s a loss.
For the Bulls!
OT, isn’t it weird that social media is uncharacteristically muted about KG accusing LBJ of being juiced?
In this day and age of lids being blown off for about anything, heated debates, hot takes, ad hominem attacks and endless discussions, it almost feels like an uncomfortable silence.
Anyone can say anything they want, for the time being, at least. If that’s all Garnett has done, it’s a non-story until there is some semblance of proof.
I agree on that. I am just pointing out that it isn’t how things usually go in this era. Quite interesting to me.
I thought the same thing Rik. There didn’t seem to be much ridicule either, which is the part that struck me as odd.
I think a big part of it is that KG was ranting and having fun, it’s pretty easy to dismiss it as not being a serious accusation.
With the Bulls our schedule will ease
Though in Chi-town we didn’t quite breeze.
If the playoffs we seek,
Time to build a win streak.
A good win here at home sure would please!
+1 This is no time to clown around with the Bulls!
impressive
That looks like a win to me!
Weekend seemed so long without Kings basketball. Let’s gooooo!
It’s an unfortunate fact: against teams who have stars and/or starters out, Sacramento seems to lower the quality of their game and either eek out a win (at best) or lose to their lessened, weakened opponent.
There is still another third of the season’s games remaining, a critical run towards the regular season finish, and the Kings will play lower tiered teams, beatable in the standings teams, who will run their path to season’s end, but for lottery odds. And yet, despite the overlying mandate that the lottery teams should lose and the playoff contending Kings should win; given this season’s outcomes, I have convinced myself that Sacramento has eliminated the possibility that a sure win, easy win, or expected win exists for any game the remainder of this season.
I mention my self tortured agony, as I don’t believe I live on this forlorn island by myself, and the Kings have a run at Golden1 Center against Chicago tonight, San Antonio on Friday and Houston on Sunday with a trip down to Los Angeles against the Lakers in between, on Wednesday.
On paper, that should be 4-0 at best, 3-1 at worst.
Alright, what say thee?
these are tough games. Spurs are playing well after the all star break. Lakers and Bulls fighting for a higher playoff seed.
The Kings have beat the best in West (Minn, Dever, and OKC) but also lost to the worst (Detroit, Charlotte). Hard to know with this team. Is all about motivation?
Let’s gooo!!! from last to … not last?
Matt George: De’Aaron Fox is avaliable tonight vs the Bulls. 33 mins ago
Aykis, I have neglected to say how much I have enjoyed your previews this entire season. It is genuinely great work.
I like the Bulls (Coby White has been an amazing pick up in Fantasy League), and watch a fair number of their games (which is why I am not high on Patrick Williams). DeMar is one of my five favorite non-Sacramento Kings players in the league. Just a remarkable skill level, his finding his spots and getting a good shot off is a joy to watch. One of the few players in the league who is consistent game to game with his output, and a really clever playmaker.
Go Kings!
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