Sacramento’s last two games could not have gone any worse, with both ending in heartbreaking fashion. As a result the Kings turned what should have been a 4-1 road trip into a 2-3 road trip and they’ve lost three straight. Now they’re back home for a brief spell and everyone in Sacramento really just needs a solid win right now.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Thursday, January 18th, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
The Kings and Pacers face off for the first time this season tonight. Last year, they split the season series with both teams winning at home. The Kings lost the most recent matchup by three points but were without De’Aaron Fox’s services in that one.
Three in the Key
48 Complete Minutes
Tuesday’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns was so infuriating in part because the first 40 minutes were probably the best basketball the Kings have played all season. The offense was crisp, the defensive rotations were good and the Kings were up 22 points on a good team on the road. Then the next 8 minutes was probably the worst basketball in the Mike Brown era. Turnover after turnover, bad shot after bad shot and the Suns came back to complete one of the most improbable comebacks I’ve ever seen. It was a devastating loss but also goes to show why you can’t let off the gas for a second. The Kings got sloppy and panicked and completely fell apart down the stretch. Hopefully it’s a lesson that only needs to be learned once.
New Look Pacers
The Pacers come to Sacramento with the same record (23-17) as the Kings and their year has been very reminiscent of Sacramento’s season last year. Indiana is leading the league in offense a season after the Kings did. Tyrese Haliburton has been leading the way, averaging 23.6 points and 12.5 assists a game, but he has missed the last week and a half due to a hamstring injury. He’s questionable tonight and might not play, but even without him the Pacers have gone 2-2 in their last four games. Indiana also just made a big trade, acquiring Pascal Siakam without giving up much more than draft picks. It’s unclear if he will be available tonight, but he gives the Pacers another All-Star talent to pair with Haliburton and provide some help on the defensive front, where the Pacers have been weak this season. This is a team with a lot of firepower, who likes to play fast and furious. The Kings should be very familiar with this type of team, and hopefully they can beat the Pacers at their own game.
Attack the Paint
One of the biggest reasons the Pacers don’t have a better record is their porous defense. Despite Myles Turner being a prodigious shot blocker, the Pacers have little size around him (one of the reasons they traded for Siakam). The Pacers give up the most points in the paint in the entire league at 60.4 a game. The Kings need to take advantage of that and dominate the interior.
Prediction
The Kings unleash some of their recent frustrations on the Pacers and win in dominating fashion behind a career-high 50 points from De’Aaron Fox.
Kings 141, Pacers 119
Commandeer the Pacers, you clowns!
We need to stop the Pacers from catching fire from three!
I think the last 2 games could’ve gone a lot worse. We could have played like the first quarter in Detroit.
I’m actually feeling pretty good about the team after the road trip. They dropped a turd in Philly, and had two chokey losses, but overall play looks better to me.
Team will respond by being blown out tonight. Prove me wrong, team!
Proved wins can’t be taken for granted—
Big lead in the fourth, then face-planted.
Now home ‘gainst the Pacers,
Our D must say “Nay,sirs!”
To hear “Light the beam” loudly chanted!
Correct course with a win!
Nay,sirs. Clever.
Let us hope that Kings That Say Nay show up tonight instead of the Defense of Scrubbery
The “No Lead is Safe” Kings take the floor tonight against the highest scoring team in The Association.
It is going to take a while for the stain of 4th quarter collapses to wash away. Start tonight!
So, is a loss tonight to a no Hali or Pascal Pacers cause for panic? Asking for a friend.
The Pacers will still put more talent on the floor than did the Hornets when the Kings lost to them at G1C. I’m not sure if panic is the word, but massive disappointment would hit the mark for me.
I think the trend would concern me more. A loss tonight gives them a 6-8 record over their last 14 games, while a win would just be .500 basketball with a brutal February ahead. 9 of the 12 teams faced next month have winning records. They need to get a hold of things fast.
They played much better the past two games, except for the final few minutes of each game. That being said, great teams find a way to close out and win those games. What we are witnessing the past 13 games is really confusing, and shows the flaws in the team and coaching.
I would be concerned because the path for correction seems rather slim right now.
Nah, we’ll be able to console ourselves by remembering that they were in the driver’s seat with a 28pt lead right up until the 2:45 mark of the 4th. So in reality, there were a lot of good things to take away from the loss. 😀
Hoping for no Haliburton or Siakam. But then Buddy will go 9/12 from three.
Keep Buddy in check
I’m imagining how much the different the Kings outlook would be now if they’d just won the last two damn games. 3 points!
Make your damn free throws at a league average…
No Haliburton, Siakam, Mathurin, Nembhard
Nope. Mathurin is starting. Injury report was wrong.
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