By the time you read this, I’ll probably be just getting on a plane to Hawaii for a week but I’ll be leaving you in Greg’s very capable hands for the rest of the week. The Kings are back home tonight to face the Philadelphia 76ers for the start of a five-game homestand. With just 12 games left in the season, every game matters more than ever as the playoff race gets closer and closer to the finish line.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Monday, March 25th, 7:00 PM PT
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California, NBA TV
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
Joel Embiid missed the last contest between these two teams as well but it was no problem for Philadelphia as they took care of business against the Kings, winning 112-93 behind Tobias Harris’ season-high 37 points. De’Aaron Fox led the way for the Kings with 21 points but shot just 5-15 from the field and only three other Kings (Keegan Murray, Malik Monk & Domantas Sabonis) scored in double digits. It was the worst shooting game of the Kings’ season, as they only made 33.7% of their total field goal attempts.
Three in the Key
Buck the trend
It feels like every time the Kings come back from a road trip this season, they’ve laid an egg in their first game back. Since the new year, the Kings are 2-5 in the first game after a road trip; The losses to Detroit and Charlotte were among that group, as well as a losses to the Pacers without Tyrese Haliburton & Pascal Siakam, the Miami Heat without Jimmy Butler & Tyler Herro, and a loss to the Bulls where they gave up a 20 point late third quarter lead. For whatever reason, this Kings team has been terrible in those first home games after road trips. Tonight they’ll be taking on a 76ers team that remains without Joel Embiid but is still desperate for wins considering they sit 8th in the Eastern Conference Playoff race. The Kings can’t afford to look over this game because of two important games against Dallas on Tuesday and Thursday. Every game matters at this point and the Kings have a prime opportunity to take advantage of the Sixers coming into Sacramento without their best player. Don’t make the same mistakes.
The Terrible Ts
The 76ers might not have Joel Embiid but Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris are very dangerous in their own right. Tyrese Maxey has become a legitimate star, averaging 25.8 points, 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 37.2 minutes a game as he’s taken on a bigger offensive load in the wake of Embiid’s injury. Tobias Harris has been a solid scorer for over a decade now, capable of taking over games both inside and out, as evidenced by his performance against Sacramento last season. Outside of those two, the Sixers don’t have a ton of offensive threats so if the Kings can keep them in check, they should have a decent chance to come out ahead.
Strong start
The 76ers are going to be on the second night of a back to back after playing the Clippers last night. It’s imperative that the Kings get out to a strong start to make it that much harder for the Sixers to try to get back into the game. The Kings don’t want to be the team trying to dig back from an early hole. Tyrese Maxey played 44 minutes against the Clippers and Tobias Harris was at nearly 38. Take advantage of that, get out and run and wear out their legs early and often.
Prediction
With me not only not in the arena but off the actual US mainland, the Kings put together their best performance in years and utterly dominate the 76ers en route to a blowout victory.
Kings 143, 76ers 109
Fan Predictions
Link to Leaderboard (Updated 2/21/24)
