I’ve got some bad news and I’ve got some bad news. Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. The Kings are currently riding a league-worst 7-game losing streak. Ok. Here’s the bad news — the 23-11 Los Angeles Clippers are in town to close out 2019.

When: December 31st, 2:00 PST

Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA

TV: NBCSCA

Radio: KHTK Sports 1140 AM

For Your Consideration

Greg said what I would have said in this section of the preview about the last decade of Kings fandom. There have been some infrequent ups and countless downs, but here we are, still watching, still hoping, that someday all the time we spend on this basketball team is more fun than frustrating. I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet, but I welcome the new year and the new decade. This one can’t be as bad as the last. Right?

I’m going to try and be a little positive here and report that the Kings didn’t look that bad against the very good Denver Nuggets on Sunday night. Yes, they lost their 7th straight game, but De’Aaron Fox played well, and most importantly, looked healthy. Harry Giles showed us something. Buddy Hield looked better despite another night of inefficient shooting. The reunited starting frontcourt of Richaun Holmes and Nemanja Bjelica looked great.

I’m not playing the moral victory card here, but the Kings are playing better now than they did in the first half of this 7-game losing streak. That’s about as positive of a statement as I can make at this time.

I’m also not in the business of rooting for injures, but both Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams are out of the Clippers lineup tonight, and Lord knows the Kings will take any help they can get.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are in. That’s a major problem.

Prediction

The Kings aren’t supposed to win tonight which increases the likelihood of a Kings victory by a significant margin. It’s New Years Eve and I’m feeling frisky. Kings win 110-106.