The Kings are back in action tonight in front of a nationally televised audience to take on the Phoenix Suns in Arizona. The last time these two teams met it was looking like it was going to be a runaway victory but instead it was the Suns who got the last laugh. With the Western Conference playoff race so tight, this is one of the most important games of the season.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Tuesday, February 13th, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
TV: TNT
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
The Kings last played the Suns just under a month ago and led by 22 points with 8:22 left in the game…
Phoenix won 119 to 117. I have no further comment at this time.
Three in the Key
Small Ball
The Kings have played well against the Suns this season except for one 8 minute stretch in that last game. The biggest change in that stretch was that Phoenix went small, going with a lineup featuring Kevin Durant at the 5 and then four guards: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen and Eric Gordon. This lineup absolutely flustered the Kings. Sacramento kept turning the ball over trying to force passes inside and the Suns made them pay on the other end with constant quick hitters. I’d wager we will see Frank Vogel return to this strategy again tonight since it worked so well last time and it will be up to the Kings to find a better way to deal with it.
Trey-son Allen
The Suns have quite a few big names on their team but the Kings should probably add Grayson Allen to the scouting report. Allen was a flamethrower in their last matchup, hitting 9 of 14 three pointers and leading the Suns in scoring with 29 points. This isn’t even a particular fluke either; Allen is leading the NBA in three-point percentage this season at a ridiculous 49%. That is not a typo. It turns out when everyone is focused on Durant, Booker and Beal, you get a lot more open looks from three. Last time he simply got too many of those looks, and it was the only thing keeping the Suns in the game for a while till their eventual comeback. Maybe don’t help so much off of him this time.
Tiebreakers
I mentioned briefly above that this is one of the most important games of the season. This is Sacramento’s fourth matchup against the Suns with one remaining (you can thank the In-Season Tournament for that fifth matchup). The Kings currently lead the season series 2-1, and one more win would give the Kings the tiebreaker for any potential playoff seed come April. That could mean the difference between the 6th seed and a guaranteed playoff spot or the 7th seed and having to fight for a spot in the Play-Ins. That’s the exact position the Kings and Suns find themselves in the standings right now. A win for the Kings would put them a half game up on the Suns while a loss would see them fall another game behind. Every game matters, but this one has a bit of extra importance for both teams.
Prediction
The Kings are the ones who find themselves behind early this time but get some of their own revenge by taking a lead in the fourth quarter and coming away with a victory on the road.
Kings 117, Suns 113
A Kings lead is like playing craps
As we wait for their focus to lapse.
There’s just one thing I need:
Please don’t make my eyes bleed
With another historic collapse!
+1 When the Kings lead shrinks from 20+ to 2…
Will this website EVER believe I’m not a robot? I mean after 4,343 confirmations I’m not a robot you would think it would stick. 🙂
Is this you?
Major Major Major has been promoted to Major.
It finally believed me today! A Leap Month miracle!!
What can possibly go wrong?
Vezenkov apparently out for 4-6 weeks. So sorry for him.
Bad news for Sasha.
sounds like he got off on the wrong foot
Those are the breaks (or sprains).
Do…the sprain.
4 quarters of focus is what its going to take pretty much from this point forward, can’t be a crapshoot on the focus side of things every night and expect to get very far, time to dial it in. If they can figure that out night in and night out they can absolutely beat anybody in a 7 game series.
If we need to focus for four consecutive quarters we’re screwed.
someone has to step up early besides Sabonis. That can be Keegan, HB or Huerter.
Won’t be able to relax watching this game unless the Kings are up by 22 with 82 seconds.
When we’re losing, I’m going to just tell myself that this is the better way to go about things.
Self-delusion is a hell of a drug!
No Lyles and Sasha tonight. Wonder who next man up is. Probably Kessler for his size against Booker and Durant. Maybe Ellis gets some more run with Keegan and Barnes filling the 4 role.
Badge Legend