It hasn’t always been pretty, but the Kings have responded pretty well so far to a season-long four game losing streak. In fact, they’ll be looking to put together a four-game winning streak if they can take care of business tonight against an injury riddled Memphis Grizzlies team.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Monday, January 29th, 5:00 PM PT
Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
The Kings posted their biggest win of the season on New Year’s Eve in Memphis, winning 123 to 92. Domantas Sabonis had a 13 points, 21 rebound and 12 assist triple double and Malik Monk led the game in scoring with 27 points off the bench.
Three in the Key
Advantage Kings
The Kings have had some rare scheduling luck these past few games; including tonight, Sacramento’s last three games have all been against an opponent on the second night of a back to back. Memphis was in Indiana last night where they lost 116-110. To make matters worse for the Grizzlies, they possess an injury report that features four of the five players (Ja Morant, Steven Adams, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart) the Grizzlies would normally call starters. The Kings for their part are mostly healthy and playing some of their best basketball of the season of late. This is a game the Kings cannot afford to let slip from their grasp, especially with four considerably tougher matchups coming up on this trip. It would also help matters if the Kings could actually close a game out convincingly for once, something they were able to do the last time they played the Grizzlies. Let’s make it two for two.
A wounded Bear is still dangerous
Despite all of their injuries and the whole board stacked against them this season, the Grizzlies have actually been playing pretty well as of late. In the month of January, Memphis has gone 8-6, with wins against some good teams during that stretch. Now, the Grizzlies have lost some important pieces in that stretch, but even still, this is a team with nothing to lose and a bunch of guys who want to make the most of time they wouldn’t normally get. It’s not a glitzy opponent but the Kings need to take them seriously. Youngsters like Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson have been playing great as of late. Jaren Jackson Jr. is still around and anchoring the middle while also typically leading the team in scoring. Don’t give this team any confidence, especially in front of a home crowd that hasn’t seen many wins this year (Memphis is just 5-15 at home this season compared to 13-13 on the road).
Light it Up
The Grizzlies are not a good offensive team, ranking 2nd to last in the NBA in offensive rating. When they win games, it’s not because of their offense, but rather their defense. The Grizzlies allow just 104.7 points in games they’ve won, compared to 118.1 points in their losses. In fact, the Grizzlies are 0-10 when allowing teams to score over 120 points, and just 1-19 when allowing teams to score over 116. On the other hand, the Grizzlies are 8-1 when keeping teams at 102 points or fewer, and 12-3 when holding teams to 107 points or fewer. Memphis just doesn’t have the firepower to keep up with high scoring teams but they do have the ability to grind out wins if they get enough stops. If the Kings can get their offense going like they have been lately (Sacramento has scored over 116 in 10 of their last 12 games), it will be hard for the Grizzlies to keep up.
Prediction
The Grizzlies play the Kings tougher than expected for much of the first half, even taking a small lead going into halftime, but the Kings come out of the gates in the second half and take firm control as Memphis finds no answer for De’Aaron Fox or Malik Monk and the Kings win by double digits.
Kings 119, Memphis 105
Fan Predictions
