The Kings are back at home to take on the hobbled Charlotte Hornets. This is Sacramento’s last homestand for a while so hopefully they can get 2024 started off on the right foot.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Tuesday, January 2nd, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
This is Sacramento’s first matchup against the Hornets this season. Last season, the Kings and Hornets split the season series with both teams winning on each other’s home floor. The Hornets got the most recent game back in Sacramento on Dec 19th, 2022 as LaMelo Ball (23 points, 12 assists) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (31 points) led the way for the Hornets in that game. Domantas Sabonis put up a monster 28 points, 23 rebound effort and De’Aaron Fox scored a game-high 37 points but the Hornets outscored the Kings by 7 in the final frame and won 125 to 119.
Three in the Key
Ball Don’t Play
LaMelo Ball is an incredibly talented player and he was a big reason the Hornets were able to beat the Kings in Sacramento last season, scoring 16 points in the final quarter to put Charlotte on top. However, just like his brother Lonzo, he’s had his share of injury issues since coming to the league. LaMelo has played just 15 games this season, having sprained his ankle in early December and missing every game since. Since that injury, the Hornets have gone 2-13, with their only wins coming by a single point against the Nets and by three points against the Raptors. Terry Rozier (23.6 points), Miles Bridges (19.7 points) and rookie Brandon Miller (14.9 points) have been left to pick up the slack but it hasn’t been enough to overcome Ball’s absence. The Hornets are also without veteran wing Gordon Hayward, and both Mark Williams (back) and Terry Rozier (illness) missed yesterday’s game against Denver although those two at least aren’t yet confirmed as out for tonight’s game.
Dominating Mindset
The Kings victory against the Memphis Grizzlies on New Year’s Eve was their most dominant of the season, winning by 31 points and holding the Grizzlies to just 34 points in the second half. That came one game after holding the Hawks to just 39 points in the second half and completing a 23 point comeback. This is yet another game that the Kings should look to dominate and take control of early. The Hornets are the worst defense in the NBA and one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA. They’re also on the second night of a back to back. There are no excuses for the Kings to not take care of business tonight. Even a small victory would be a bit disappointing, while a loss would rank among the worst of the season. This four game homestand that starts tonight is the longest homestand the Kings have until March, with 19 of their next 26 games after the homestand taking place on the road. The Kings need to start it off on the right foot, especially against the team with the NBA’s current longest losing streak at 11 straight games.
Rookie Intrigue
The Hornets got a bit of flak this offseason for drafting Brandon Miller over Scoot Henderson with the 2nd overall pick, but Miller has been better than Henderson so far this season. The 6’9 wing is averaging 14.9 points while shooting 39.6% from three on just over five attempts a game. He is pretty reliant on shooting jumpers though, with only 16.8% of his FGA coming at the rim. As a result, he doesn’t get to the line very much, averaging only 1.9 attempts a game. Charlotte also features another interesting rookie in guard Nick Smith Jr. who is another shooter, averaging a ridiculous 47.7% from three so far this season. The Hornets aren’t a particularly great shooting team, but their two rookies like to gun it from distance when they can.
Prediction
The Kings come out strong to start 2024, with De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis getting whatever they want, whenever they want. Both players score over 30 points and don’t need to play much in the 4th quarter as the Kings keep their second straight team to under 100 points and get the victory.
Kings 127, Hornets 97
With the Hornets we start the new year;
They played Denver last night, then came here.
Their wins have been few—
That should be our clue:
Can’t get trapped by how things appear!
+1 Don’t get trapped in Charlotte’s web!
Let’s feast?
Again I say, back-to-back Denver to Sac the day after New Years is brutal.
I don’t see any excuse for a loss here.
Will see if we get another Duarte starte…
I’d be more surprised if Duarte doesn’t start this game. Brown tends to allow changes a certain length of time so he can see how they work (see Ellis playing over Davion).
Yes, Brown usually sticks with a change for at least 5 games.
Keegan is perplexing. Good number doe a second year guy but inconsistent as all get out. Uneven progression: better and more focused defense, more variety on shots BUT just disappears for long stretches. A true third option, part of a big three cannot do that. If he misses early and sometimes he forces shots early, then he shuts down. Act like one of the big stars- just keep shooting. Does Luka stop? How about klank- who is not a star but thinks he is and will NOT stop shooting, even bad shots and then put a towel over his head.
Just shoot the ball ! If PG or Leonard get the ball where Keegan does, they find a way to get a shot up.
Totally agree. Keegan loses his way and aggression on O waaaay too often. Time to step it up this year and be more consistent
Don’t get me wrong, I like Murrray. But Doncic? The guy is putting up historic numbers. Keegan is not on the same planet.and Keegan is far far away from being a core piece on a championship contender. Far away.
Keegan does not have the creation abilities those two have. Sorry, but that’s a little overrate. Poor lateral quickness and not very athletic.
No excuses, got to win this one. Don’t get your hand caught in the
cookie jarnest.OT:
Nice article in the Ringer on Fox and others leveling up their play this year.
Link to Nostradumbass standings?
Bugs are on an 11 game losing streak: 4-11 at home, 3-13 on the road and they have yet to win against a Western Conference opponent this season.
Swat the Bugs!
And they can’t blame the Michael Jordan ownership for this season’s problems (Gabe Plotkin and Rick Shnall are the current
ownersGovernors). Steve Clifford (whom many in this community advocated as their choice for Kings coach, over Mike Brown – I raise my hand with embarrassment).If they were winning, I’m sure I would assess them differently, but this is a very Kangzian collection of talent. Change the calendar from 2024 to 2016, take away the Teal (keep the dark purple) and change it to black and grey on the Unis, and it’s an all too familiar look.
Other teams just look at the roster and think – well, who can we poach? The answer – meh, not much. Cody Martin at $7.5M/season? PJ Washington at $16.5M?
Anyhoo – I hope to see a well lit beam later tonight.
Badge Legend