The Hornets came to Sacramento last week and handed the Kings one of their worst losses of the season. Now it’s a chance for the Kings to hand out some payback on the Hornet’s home turf.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Wednesday, January 10th, 4:00 PM PT
Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
The Hornets came to Sacramento just over a week ago and went on a 10-0 run to end the game and win 111-104 in what was one of Sacramento’s worst offensive performances of the season. The Kings had 21 turnovers in the game, with a whopping 11 coming from Domantas Sabonis alone. Terry Rozier led the way for Charlotte with 34 points, while Miles Bridges added 27. The win snapped an 11 game losing streak for Charlotte.
Three in the Key
Good Start
The Kings won yesterday, but had to dig themselves out of a huge hole early. Sacramento spotted the Pistons 47 points in the first quarter lone and went down by as much as 20 points before coming back in the second quarter and taking the lead by halftime. Against Charlotte a week ago, the Kings had gotten off to a good start, leading 18-8 in the first part of the first quarter, but then they got sloppy and allowed the Hornets to get back into the game, even taking a 25-21 lead by the end of the first. The Kings never really regained their momentum after that. Hopefully the sting (pun intended) of that loss is fresh enough that the Kings have some extra motivation to beat Charlotte tonight.
Bench Play
One of the biggest differences between the Kings and the Hornets in that recent game was the play of the bench. P.J. Washington was a huge factor, scoring 17 points in 29 minutes and finishing as a +16. Sacramento’s leading bench scorer was Trey Lyles who scored 9 points. Malik Monk, normally so reliable as a 6th man, had one of his worst games of the season, scoring just 6 points in 20 minutes and finishing as a -21. The Kings have more talent than the Hornets, they just need to play like it. I expect Monk will be out to get a bit of revenge tonight against his former team.
Pound the Paint
The Kings beat the Pistons last night by methodically attacking the paint. The Kings scored a season-high 82 points in the paint, led by Domantas Sabonis’ 37 points. The Hornets aren’t much better at defending the paint than the Pistons are, and it’s something the Kings should look to do again tonight. The three ball is great, but getting a high percentage two near the rim is even better. There’s no reason the Kings can’t continue to dominate the paint against teams without premiere interior defenders like Charlotte.
Prediction
The Kings get some revenge, particularly Malik Monk who scored 25 points off the bench to lead Sacramento to victory over his former team.
Kings 131, Hornets 114
Against Charlotte did not play our best.
This time it’s the Kings with no rest.
Back-to-backs on the road
Can be a tough load,
Hornets sweep would be hard to digest!
+1 This time, how about cutting down on the turnovers!
Watching first 2 episodes, so far so-so, is this series that good?
It wasn’t for me, but some folks swear by it.
OT: That’s a lot of money for a guy who plays in about 2/3 of the games and is turning 33 this summer.
I get it, and the Clips are balling right now. But their big three has amassed 85k NBA minutes, so tick-tick-tick.
The handful of times I’ve watched Leonard this season, he’s been able to do anything that he wants as far as scoring the ball. His defense is always great, and he’s looked like an all-star.
It’s always risky throwing that much money at a player, particularly one of his age, but man, he has been tremendous.
Let’s see if Fox has recovered from his concurrent doldrums. I wouldn’t mind seeing the guy get some rest, and this would be a team have him sit- if they didn’t just lose to this team.
The Hornets will be “up” for this game as well as they realize that they can beat the Kings. I don’t think it will be a 47 point first quarter – however, at this point, little would surprise me when it comes to the Kings of Chaos.
Maybe, just maybe, Huerter and Barnes will play the way that made us so happy with them last season. In the same game, at the same time.
Barnes, at least, should be pretty well rested after playing less than 14 minutes last night!
Not sure it’s doldrums as much as playing with multiple injuries. Then again, maybe injuries cause the doldrums, so you may have a point there.
I heard that he has always lacked a motor and that he no longer is motivated to pursue a supermax contract!
Kings need to take advantage. It seems all the Hornets have tonight is Rozier and Bridges.
LaMelo & Hayward avoiding the Kings this season confirmed.
https://x.com/JandersonSacBee/status/1745199288635085105?s=20
Oh man. Luckily a heart transplant is something that one can have and still live a mostly normal life. There are limitations but I know three people that have gotten them and two of them you’d never even know had any limitations until they tell you. Let’s hope for the best.
Indeed. Having tons of trouble showing the article, tried embedding, linking etc
Prayers to Scot and his family. Good King!
Man, the dude has gone through the gamut. He’s far too young to have those kinds of issues. God speed, Scot. You’ve got a lot of folks in your corner.
Social media brings out the worst people. We should unplug the internet and start over.
Prayers and good luck Scot & family! One of the most entertaining personalities in the NBA, loved watching and cheering for him.
I had no idea about this. Scot is the best…. Smart and funny. An amazing individual. love and hope going out to him and his family.
More aggressive on offense Domantas please!
Badge Legend