Back to backs have not been kind to the Kings this season, but I’m almost thankful that the Kings get back on the court so quickly after last night’s awful performance. Hopefully they’re able to regain their footing at home against a young and tough Orlando squad who will be looking for their own redemption after losing in San Francisco last night.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Wednesday, January 3rd, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
This will be the first time the Kings face the Magic this season. Last season the Kings won both games in the matchup. De’Aaron Fox hit his first game winner of the season against Orlando as well.
Three in the Key
Shake it Off
There’s no doubt that last night’s loss to the Hornets was one of the worst of the season. The Kings played undisciplined on both ends, didn’t take their opponent seriously, and gave the game away in the final minutes. Now they’ll have a chance to redeem themselves, but they’ll have to do it against a much tougher opponent. The Magic have improved greatly this season, particularly on defense where they’re 3rd overall. This is going to be a tougher matchup, so the Kings will need to shake off whatever malaise they were playing through last night and be on their game if they hope to win.
Paint Control
The Magic are one of the best inside teams in the NBA. They’re second overall in Points in the Paint at 55.9 a game and they have the second highest free throw rate in the league. Both of these areas (keeping teams out of the paint and off the line) have been huge problems for the Kings all season. Orlando is also excellent at pretty good at keeping teams out of the paint and also securing rebounds to finish defensive possessions (they rank 1st in Defensive Rebounding Rate). I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Mike Brown turn to both Alex Len and JaVale McGee tonight to deal with Orlando’s size. On the other hand, the Magic aren’t the best shooting team. They rank dead last in three pointers made and just 29th in attempts and percentage. The only Magic player shooting better than 40% from three is Joe Ingles. The Kings can’t just give up open threes all night, but they might need to give Orlando a bit more space to make life more difficult in the paint.
No Invisible Players
The Kings too often have guys who tend to disappear for large stretches. Last night Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray and Kevin Huerter played a combined 72 minutes and combined for just 17 points on 6 of 18 shooting. The Kings can’t just rely on Fox and Sabonis all the time.
Prediction
The Magic strike first but the Kings battle back and win a close game to secure their first victory on a back to back of the season.
Kings 114, Magic 109
“Hello, would you like tickets to watch the Kings play on the SEGABABA tonight?”
If being a Kings fan teaches us anything, it is to take our successes, as well as our failures, with quiet dignity and grace.
How do we break the SGBB curse?
Kings win handily. Banchero shoots 5 for 19 from the field and Franz has an efficient night but only gets up 11 shots. Orlando backcourt is dominated all night long by Fox and the rest. Kings cruise.
Paolo is going to be handful for Keegan. 6’10 250lbs.
I think Barnes will likely be on Paulo with Murray on Franz
Well Barnes is not much bigger than Keegan, so we will see how it goes. It is an issue with the roster each game, not having that bigger wing/PF guy.
Size-wise, not much difference but there is large difference in strength between the two. I think Murray is the actually the better defender, but his lack of strength is evident against bigger wings.
Tonight it’s Orlando arriving;
Banchero and Wagner are thriving.
Hoping that the whole team
Can get back on the beam.
After last night’s bad loss, need reviving!
+1 Make the team from the Magic Kingdom Grumpy!
Let’s go on a long win streak and forget about the recent stinkers!
Is Sasha Vezenkov
Inquiring minds want to know why he is not seeing any playing time. Huerter, Barnes and even Keegan are in a shooting slump. Vezenkov can shoot the basketball, pretty darn well.
Seems like a good time to get him the ball.
Jonathan Isaac is out (again) tonight – so if you are pining for the $17.4M/season 26 year old who is 12th on minutes for the team, but has the highest salary, you will be disappointed.
I thought Sasha played well so far this season. Not sure why he has been glued to the recently.
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