The Memphis Grizzlies are the final guests at Golden 1 Center for this six-game homestand in Sacramento. The Kings are coming off a tough loss against New York on Saturday and will be looking to get back on track before they head back out on the road later this week.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Monday, March 18th, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
The Kings have played the Grizzlies twice so far this season, both times in Memphis. Sacramento came away victorious both times, although the most recent game at the end of January saw the Kings having to come back from a 15 point first quarter deficit. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the way for the Grizzlies with 22 points, but it was Domantas Sabonis putting together a dominant 20 point and season-high 26 rebound performance that led the Kings to victory.
Three in the Key
Finish Strong
The Kings have had a pretty good homestand all things considered. The defense has stepped up markedly with the Kings only allowing an average of 108 points, and that goes down even further to 102.8 if you take away the first game. Saturday’s loss to the Knicks was tough, but it was honestly a pretty good effort for the most part despite the Kings having one of their roughest shooting nights of the season; The Kings shots just 35.3% from the field but still had a chance to win down the stretch but couldn’t convert on open looks down the stretch. However a loss tonight would be an absolutely miserable way to end this homestand. The Grizzlies are not a team playing for anything but pride and youth development. Their injury report is enough to make a solid NBA team on its own. This is a team that the Kings should handle easily and I’d like to see the team make a statement and win solidly for once; Don’t let these kind of teams get comfortable early. A solid win tonight would also give the Kings some good momentum heading into a four-game Eastern Conference Road trip, and right now the Kings could use every game they can get as they’re in a virtual tie in the standings with the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks.
Close Out
The Grizzlies are currently the worst three point shooting team in the entire NBA, shooting just 34.8% from distance. However, they shoot threes at the 3rd highest rate in the league and have several capable shooters: Desmond Bane, Luke Kennard, and GG Jackson among others. The Kings have notably been one of the worst teams at guarding the three all season, allowing opponents to shoot 39.3%. Memphis does not have a great offense, in fact, it has the worst offense in the entire NBA. Don’t let them get comfortable with open looks.
Have you seen this person?
Kevin Huerter is not having a great time right now. He’s had a disappointing second season with Sacramento for the most part, and after a hot January in which he shot 39.8% from three, he’s since shot 34.1% over his last 18 games and that drops to an abysmal 16.7% when just looking at the last five games. It’s no secret that Keon Ellis has taken a big chunk of Huerter’s minutes but Huerter hasn’t done himself any favors either. His defense isn’t anywhere near where Ellis’ is and his supposed strength, shooting, hasn’t been consistent all year. There are times where Huerter is a flamethrower and others where he can’t seem to make anything. This has been Huerter’s worst shooting season from three of his entire career, making 36.1% of his attempts. That’s lower than his backcourt partner De’Aaron Fox, who is making 36.2% but has never been considered much of a three point threat until this season. The Kings need more from their starting two guard, whether that’s Huerter figuring it out or maybe someone like Ellis coming in and supplanting him in the lineup.
Prediction
The Kings end their homestand on a strong note as Domantas Sabonis drops a 30 point, 30 rebound performance to one-up his last 20/20 game against Memphis.
Kings 131, Grizzlies 109
Fan Predictions
Link to Leaderboard (Updated 2/21/24)
Please win, please win, please win, please win, etc.
After the Dallas buzzer beater last night we really need this W.
Dallas’ remaining schedule is also easier than the Kings and Suns, so we gotta get every win we can get.
As the Grizzlies come into town,
We know that this season they’re down.
Played them twice and we’ve won.
Got to get this one done;
Can’t let a bad team hang around!
+1 Another addition to the Grizzlies injury list!
Define “short-handed”:
Brandon Clarke – OUT (achilles)
Luke Kennard – OUT (personal)
Ja Morant – OUT (shoulder)
Scotty Pippen Jr. – OUT (shin)
Derrick Rose – OUT (groin)
Marcus Smart – OUT (finger)
Lamar Stevens – OUT (thigh)
Yuta Watanabe – OUT (personal)
Ziaire Williams – OUT (back)
Vince Williams Jr. – DOUBTFUL (knee)
Define “a surefire strategy to beat the Sacramento Kings.”
Play dirty if you have to, boys.
We’re playing a bad team at home??
In all seriousness, the Kings absolutely need to take care of business tonight and the following two games (at Toronto and at Washington). The remainder of the schedule is going to be tough, and with the 6-8 seeds so close together, we need to get the wins we are supposed to get to stay afloat. This is where those losses like the ones at home against Detroit or at Portland really come back to bite you.
Will Keon ever start over Kvon?
Better dread than red.
Awesome!! Re(c’)d.
&ct=g
(not Judging, but…)
Kings are 10.5 pt favorites, should be an easy one.
I have faith. Kings got this. No problem. (Now don’t make me look foolish)
There is no reason for the Kings to loose this game, which means it will likely happen.
Another instance of a bad team missing half their roster and I’m terrified of how the Kings will play today.
Badge Legend