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Kings vs. Thunder Preview: Part Deux

The Kings look to snag their second win in a row against the Thunder.
By | 22 Comments | Feb 28, 2023

The Kings are back at it in Oklahoma City tonight for their second game in a row after taking round one on Sunday.  Sacramento led throughout that game but wasn’t ever able to fully pull away from the pesky Thunder until the very end. Now the Kings will look to finish off the season sweep and see if they can’t get some more separation in this race to the playoffs.

Let’s talk Kings basketball!

When: 5:00 PM PT
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140

For Your Consideration

The Thunder were without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday and it looks like that will be the case again today.  The Kings have their own injury concerns this time as star De’Aaron Fox is apparently questionable with left wrist soreness, although he did manage to participate in the non-contact portion of shootaround this morning.  Fox led the Kings in scoring on Sunday with 33 points, so if he can’t make it, the Kings will need someone else to step up.  Sacramento is just 1-3 without Fox this season, while Oklahoma City is 3-3 without SGA.

One player that has been stepping it up lately and has done very well in both previous games against the Thunder this season is Keegan Murray. Murray scored 20 points in Sunday’s game and had 29 points in the first matchup back in January.  Keegan has been a great shooter all season, but lately we’ve started to see him get a little bit more out of his comfort zone and put the ball on the deck and get to the rim.  He’s gotten more aggressive both offensively and defensively, where he is routinely being asked to guard opposing team’s best wings and it’s a nice sight to see for a rookie who is already contributing so much in his first year.

The Kings actually got off to a good start for once on Sunday and they were able to maintain that lead throughout the game.  However, they did let the Thunder have one hot quarter in the third where they scored 40 points and made 8 of 12 three pointers.  Isaiah Joe was the big culprit there, and the Kings should hopefully be more keyed in on him tonight as a result.  Aside from that 3rd quarter, the Kings defense did its part, holding the Thunder to 26 points or fewer in each of the other quarters.

It’s tough to beat the same team twice in a row, but we’ve seen the Kings do it before multiple times this season. Let’s add one more to the docket.

Prediction

Kevin Huerter redeems his three point shooting contest performance by hitting eight threes as the Kings cruise to their fourth win in a row.

Kings 126, Thunder 109

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RikSmits
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February 28, 2023 12:17 pm

Must win game; can’t let up. Keep the pressure on our opponents for play-off positioning.

Go Kings!

murraytant
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February 28, 2023 12:53 pm
Reply to  RikSmits

agree. Trap/must win.
On a recent post, I asked do the Kings want or should the Kings want Nerlens noel? Consensus: No
Ok, no.
I would strongly not prefer to play a healthy duds team or a Suns team in the first round. Both are possible.
One at a time.

Kosta
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February 28, 2023 1:04 pm
Reply to  murraytant

Let’s beat those dirty rotten scoundrels!

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Jman1949
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February 28, 2023 12:53 pm

‘Gainst the Thunder let’s not fall asleep.
If Fox sits, we still want to sweep.
Win this game ‘cause we should
Though their young team is good;
We have a third seed we must keep!

Kosta
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February 28, 2023 1:00 pm

Oklahoma City, eh?

What is the light? Do you realize this is the race for the prize? ….she don’t use Delly?

I don’t know where the sunbeams end

And that the starlights begin

It’s all a mystery

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Last edited 1 year ago by Kosta
Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
February 28, 2023 3:15 pm
Reply to  Kosta

Rec’d for Flaming Lips reference. One of the few great things to come out of OKC.

RobHessing
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February 28, 2023 1:31 pm

It’s a game that you would certainly like to win, but it is also a roadie against a team with a 17-13 home record and a point differential that ranks 10th in the league. Taking two straight on someone else’s floor is never easy, and the Thunder are a sneaky competitive foe. At the end of this shorter road trip, a 4th straight win after the break would be wonderful, but it’s anything but a given.

Go Kings!

Kosta
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February 28, 2023 1:58 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Thunder are a sneaky competitive foe.

Be especially wary of that Isaiah Foe guy. He’s sneaky good.

Last edited 1 year ago by Kosta
murraytant
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February 28, 2023 2:19 pm
Reply to  Kosta

unceremoniously dropped by Philly.

Kosta
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February 28, 2023 2:26 pm
Reply to  murraytant

His talent snuck right past them!

NorCalKingsFan
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February 28, 2023 5:52 pm
Reply to  Kosta

lol…you’ve been dropping nuggets like this for what feels like a decade.

Thank you for your service.

UpgradedToQuestionable
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February 28, 2023 1:31 pm

A win tonight would be a happy ending to February where I count the Kings are 7-4 heading into a brutal March with 16 games, mostly against tough opponents. March will decide where the Kings are going to be in this race to end the season and make the playoffs (and put an end that stinkin’ draught).

They then head into the last 5 homestretch games in April.

Last edited 1 year ago by UpgradedToQuestionable
Kosta
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February 28, 2023 1:59 pm

March…to the playoffs!

…Three-point showers bring May flowers.

Last edited 1 year ago by Kosta
Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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February 28, 2023 3:29 pm

After watching the OKC game Sunday night, I have to admit I’ve got a bit of crush on that team. I love me my Kings, but I also love what Presti (I still can’t beleive that dude is just 45 years old) has done there. They have more picks than anyone and some fun young players who may sneak into the play-in this season.

SGA is a super star at just 24, Dort is a grizzled veteran beast at just age 23, Giddey’s future tipple-doubles are going to make OKC fans forget Westbrook, Jalen Williams looks like the next Mikal Bridges, Poku is tall, and we haven’t even seen Chet yet. The future is bright in OKC.

Hobby916
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February 28, 2023 4:27 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Time for Davion to step up and be aggressive, show he can run with the big boys

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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February 28, 2023 4:36 pm
Reply to  Hobby916

I think it is Monk at this point. He really is the second de facto PG at this point.

Hobby916
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February 28, 2023 4:58 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

If Davion plays well tonight, he would get the minutes back from TD. Mink for sure runs the 2nd unit though

satdawg
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February 28, 2023 4:35 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Shai is out too. This is a good test but doubt Davion comes to play

Klam
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Nostradumbass 18
Nostradumbass 19
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February 28, 2023 4:40 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Damn. 🙁

Want2win
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February 28, 2023 3:56 pm

This is a game I hope they can get.. the Kings have the 4th hardest remaining SOS… warriors, clippers and suns are 7,8,9 Dallas, Denver, Redacted, and Memphis are 23,25,26 and 28

definitely a very tough schedule. I would be extremely excited if the kings could go 11 – 11 in the final 22, but I’m expecting more like 9-13 or 8-14

NorCalKingsFan
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February 28, 2023 5:56 pm
Reply to  Want2win

Yeah, with a such tough a schedule to go…picking up W’s when they’re considered favorites is crucial. It sucks to pick up a win like they did in LAC and then lose to a team that you should beat.

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