The Kings are looking to make it seven wins in a row tonight as they are in New Orleans for the first of two matchups in a row against the Pelicans. Sacramento is fresh off a comfortable win yesterday in Dallas, but this will be their first back to back game of the season. The Pelicans are a little banged up themselves, but they’ll still have stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram available so we’ll see what De’Aaron Fox and company can do to keep the beam lit.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Monday, November 20th, 5:00 PM PT
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Three in the Key
Thanos and the Slenderman
The Pelicans were a lot of pundit’s sleeper pick to be a hit in the Western Conference with the big caveat of if they could stay healthy. That hasn’t been the case so far this year as they’ll be missing several rotation players (namely C.J. McCollum, Trey Murphy III and Larry Nance) for today’s game against the Kings. New Orleans’ star duo of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram have been healthy however and they’re both liable to be problems for the Kings if they get going.
Zion has been in the league for four seasons already but the Kings have only faced him four times over that span because of his various injury issues. In much the same way Wembanyama is an outlier because of his size and length, Zion is an outlier for his explosiveness and strength. At just 6’6, Zion weighs more than most NBA centers do but he can also move like a guard and explode to the rim with ease. He’s only averaging 21.8 points a game so far this season, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t capable of much more.
The Kings are far more familiar with Brandon Ingram, who has routinely killed the Kings in the past with his deadly shot from midrange. The Kings have stepped up big time on defense this year, but Zion and Ingram will provide their own unique challenge for Sacramento to solve. If the Kings can keep them in check, they’ll have a good chance of winning this game.
SEGABABA
This is the first second night of a back to back for the Kings this season and thankfully yesterday’s win against Dallas didn’t require the starters to play heavy minutes. De’Aaron Fox got to take most of the 4th quarter off so there shouldn’t be super heavy fatigue for the Kings come into New Orleans. Still, the Kings can’t afford to dig themselves into any early holes because it will be that much harder to get out of it without a full tank of gas.
Don’t underestimate
Zion and Ingram are the big names, but the Pelicans have a solid roster even with their injuries. Jonas Valanciunas, Herbert Jones, Dyson Daniels, Jordan Hawkins and Naji Marshall are all pretty talented in their own right and the Pelicans have been able to get some solid wins already this season when they get complete team performances. Despite the 6-7 record, New Orleans has beaten the likes of Oklahoma City, Denver and Dallas and came within a point of beating Minnesota in their last game on Saturday. This is a talented team that the Kings shouldn’t underestimate because of their record.
Prediction
The Kings hit hard early and jump out to a big early lead and eventually hold on even as the Pelicans come storming back.
Kings 119, Pelicans 113
Let’s go Kings!
Our win streak’s now standing at six;
Looking great when everything clicks.
The Pels have been struggling
With injury juggling,
See what Brown pulls from his bag of tricks!
+1 Seven would be heavenly!
My prediction: Kessler Edwards gets the start for matchup purposes and Huerter still being down. Edwards will do his best to shut down Ingram holding him to 24, scoring 14 of his own and pulling down 8 rebounds with 2 blocks, 2 assists, 2 steals and 4 personal fouls in 28 minutes.
So do you throw Keegan at Zion to try and counter his strength, or let Keegan bother Ingram, since he might be able to push him around a bit and get him to take shots from places he’d rather not?
Anyone covering Z is going to get in foul trouble for the same reason it happens with Luka: Autonomic reflex by the officials. I expect it’ll be a committee effort, and we may even see McGee spending time covering Williamson, just to real some benefit from the latter’s size and length.
ZW is shooting fifty percent from three this year, with the enormous caveat that he averages shooting them once every five games. I’d give him all kinds of room on the perimeter and do hard closeouts when he goes into his shot. Beg him to take shots from outside of fifteen feet, and live with the results.
Ingram is just a problem in general with his size and skills. Do what you can to deny him the ball in the first place, and throw the occasional double-team at him as with Luka. BI can hurt you in more ways than Williamson, and from more places. Try not to foul Z when he’s in the paint, and don’t sag off too much from their shooters.
And let’s see if we can find a way to break Valanciunas’ wrist. The man is still owed for his dirty play.
I’d put Keegan on Ingram and Barnes on Zion. Barnes still has that old man strength and savviness and Keegan has the length to bother Ingram a bit more.
I agree with you on Zion. Let him shoot from beyond 15 feet and live with the results, but my guess is the Pels plan is to relentlessly attack the paint. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Brown play a lot of packed zone and dare the Pels to shoot 3s and long 2s
Will the Kings beat NO?
YES!
So, no pressure but how are the Nostradumbass stats shaking out?
I’ve picked against the Kings for every game of the winning streak so I’m not stopping now. I actually do think the Kings drop this one though. This is already a successful road trip but I’m much more locked in on Wednesday and especially Friday against the Twolves. Back to backs against good teams are really hard and despite the record, the Pels are a good team that are really hard to guard. I actually think the most important player for the Pelicans is Herb Jones and his defense has been absolutely insane so far. If anybody is going to bother Fox it’s him.
let me get this straight:
by picking against them, you are aiding them in winning. By continuing to expect a loss, you are expecting a win.
Do I have that right?
I decided, because I’m a decider.
Nailed it. Sadly, the streak ended tonight!
You may be right; I’m not very knowledgeable, but…
Fox didn’t play much the 4th quarter last night. If the game is close in the 4th quarter, watch Fox put the Kings on his back and, as other players tire, carry them to a win. And Keegan will hit a big 3 in the 4th quarter.
Dang .. injuries
Sasha =GTD,
Keon = Out,
Red Velvet = GTD
Lyles = Out
Len = Out
Whoops, wrong thread…
Badge Legend