With their win in Indiana last night, the Kings have already guaranteed a winning road trip, but why stop there? A win tonight in Chicago would guarantee the Kings at least a 5-2 road trip, with a chance at 6-1 on Monday in Cleveland. The Kings haven’t had much success this season on the second night of a back-to-back but hopefully they can ride their recent momentum to another win.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Saturday, February 3rd, 5:00 PM PT
Where: United Center, Chicago, IL
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
This is the first time the Kings will face the Bulls this season after taking both games in the season series last year. The last time the Kings were in the Windy City, De’Aaron Fox was in the midst of solidifying his Clutch Player of the Year campaign with this huge game-winner.
Three in the Key
Opposites
Sacramento’s two opponents on this back to back trip could not be more opposite. Whereas the Pacers are one of the fastest teams in the league, the Bulls are the absolute slowest. Where the Pacers share the ball multiple times on every possession, racking up assists and efficient looks, the Bulls play more isolation heavy basketball, resulting in few turnovers but also way fewer assists and much lower efficiency from the field. The Kings are going to be the team that is on a rest disadvantage tonight (a rarity on this trip where all four of Sacramento’s wins have come against teams on the second night of a back to back), but the Kings are also the team used to playing fast compared to the Bulls. I’d like to see them push the pace and make things uncomfortable for Chicago from the jump.
Win the Threes
The Bulls have an extensive injury report, with none more important than the potential absence of Coby White, who is listed as questionable with left ankle soreness. With Patrick Williams and Zach LaVine already confirmed as out, White is one of the only players on the Chicago roster who lights it up from distance on a consistent basis. The Bulls are just 25th in 3 pointers made on the season, and not having White would make them even weaker there. Alex Caruso is the team’s only 40+% three point shooter, but he is in there primarily for defense rather than scoring. DeMar DeRozan is Chicago’s leading scorer, but he shoots threes almost grudgingly, only making one a game. The Kings are definitely a three point shooting team, and have a very good record when they outshoot their opponent from three: Sacramento is 20-4 on the season when they make more threes than their opponent.
Crunch Time Execution
Yesterday’s game against Indiana was solid, but it still left a sour taste in my mouth because once again the Kings had a big lead in the final minutes and then let the other team have some hope with some sloppy execution on both ends of the floor. I know there’s no guarantee that the Kings win in Chicago tonight or are even up, but if they do find themselves in that position again, they have to be able to close out games better. You can maybe get away with this in the regular season, but come playoff time you can’t be the team that folds when crunch time comes around.
Prediction
Keegan Murray bounces back from an off-night in Indiana to score 20+ points while Domantas Sabonis ties Oscar Roberton’s franchise record for consecutive double-doubles and the Kings win going away.
Kings 122, Bulls, 109
Fan Predictions
