The Kings are in Miami tonight to take on a Miami Heat team that has lost seven games in a row, the longest losing streak of the Erik Spoelstra era. Can the Kings maintain their perfect road trip or will they be the salve that Miami needs?
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Wednesday, January 31st, 4:30 PM PT
Where: Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
This is the first time the Kings face the Heat this year, but last season these teams faced off twice in the first seven games of the season, with both teams winning on their home floor. Miami came away with the most recent victory in controversial fashion, winning 110-107 on a Tyler Herro three pointer that the NBA ruled in their last two minute report shouldn’t have counted because he traveled.
Miami has been one of the toughest places for the Kings to play historically; The Kings have won just five of their 35 games in Miami ever, dating back to Miami’s first season in the league in 1988. De’Aaron Fox has been here for two of those wins though, including this spectacular finish during his rookie year.
Three in the Key
Don’t be the Medicine
The Heat are reeling right now, losers of seven in a row, with only one of those losses even being particularly close. The Kings on the other hand have responded to their season-worst four game losing streak with a four-game winning streak. A win tonight in Miami would guarantee the Kings a winning record on this seven-game road trip, but it’s going to be a hard fight. This Miami team knows how to fight and they’re angry and looking to right the ship. The Kings will need to be at the top of their game to come out of Miami with a win.
Value every possession
The Heat are not a prolific offensive team, but they also do their best to make sure their opponents aren’t either. The Heat are among the league leaders in allowing the fewest second chance points, fast break points and points in the paint. They also play at one of the NBA’s slowest paces and don’t tend to foul much. With fewer possessions and usually only one chance to score, the Kings have to be better at taking care of the ball. Against Memphis in particular, the Kings were very sloppy, turning the ball over 19 times. The Kings do tend to play up or down to the quality of their opponent however, and since the Heat are mostly healthy, maybe they’ll play with a bit more focus than they had on Monday.
Malik Funk
While the Kings have seen a resurgence from guys like Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter of late, Malik Monk has been having one of the worst stretches of his season. Over the last six games, Monk is averaging just 8.5 points a game and shooting 36.2% from the field and 22.7% from three. His 3P% over the entire month of January is just 31.7% after he had been making 41.2% of his threes prior to that. Malik’s still been able to make an impact as a playmaker (5.9 assists over January) but the Kings really need him to find his shot since he’s one of the only reliable scoring threats the Kings have on the bench.
Prediction
There’s no controversy this time as the Kings keep the Heat reeling and win thanks to yet another Domantas Sabonis triple-double and a vintage Malik Monk game.
Kings 119, Heat 111
Fan Predictions
