Back to backs in Denver should be illegal, but that’s the scenario the Kings face tonight. They’ll be taking on a Nuggets team that will be looking for some revenge after the Kings blew them out in Sacramento just last week.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Wenesday, February 14th, 6:00 PM PT
Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
The Kings played the Nuggets just five days ago in Sacramento and came away with one of their biggest victories of the season, winning 135-106. Mr. Triple-Double Domantas Sabonis led the way with 17 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists while Malik Monk dropped in 23 points off the bench.
Three in the Key
Tired Legs
The Kings played a tough game last night in Phoenix, and now they have to play again a mile high. The Kings have already not played that well in back to backs this season, and this is just some added pain. A good start would do wonders for the team, because it’s going to be extra hard to try to dig out of any early holes. A win tonight would be a much needed salve before the All-Star break, especially with a tough schedule continuing when the season starts back up again next week. Denver is going to come out hungry and angry themselves though, especially after how badly the Kings beat them not too long ago. This is gonna be a tough one.
Bench Help
The Kings might have won against the Suns last night if there was anyone who could have helped out Malik Monk. Sasha Vezenkov is out for 4-6 weeks, Trey Lyles was out sick, and the rest of the bench didn’t contribute much at all. Malik Monk scored 22 points, but the only other points scored by the bench was a lone three pointer by Davion Mitchell. The Suns meanwhile got 44 from their own bench. Denver arguably has better depth than Phoenix, so someone needs to step up and help out. Hopefully Lyles is feeling better and the Kings can get him back as he was a bright spot in the last game against Denver, scoring 15 points to go with 7 rebounds in just under 21 minutes.
Have you seen this man?
Keegan Murray has had an up and down sophomore season and we’re currently in the midst of one of his most down stretches to date. Over the last nine games, Murray is averaging 10.4 points, but if you take away the one game he scored 33 in, that average drops to 6.7. He’s had more games scoring six or fewer points than he’s had scoring in double digits during this stretch and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the Kings have gone 4-5 as a result. The Kings need Murray to be a little bit more assertive. There’s a reason the Kings have such an excellent record when he scores 20 or more points (9-3 this season, 12-1 last season).
Prediction
Malik Monk hits a game-winning three at the buzzer and blows a kiss to the crowd. Nine months later, there’s a baby boom in Sacramento with Malik being the favored name.
Kings 119, Nuggets 118
Fan Predictions
