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
Fan Predictions
