The Kings are coming off yet another loss to one of the worst teams in the league and now find themselves behind both the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks in the race to avoid the Play-In Tournament. Tonight will be a much harder test than any of the Kings last few games as they’ll be taking on an Orlando Magic team that has won five in a row and sits at 4th in the Eastern Conference.
Let’s talk Kings basketball!
When: Saturday, March 23rd, 4:00 PM PT
Where: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Last Time
The Kings and Magic last faced off on January 3rd in a double overtime thriller. The Magic set a franchise record for three pointers made, making 25 of 44 attempts (56.8%). Paolo Banchero scored a career-high 43 points. Malik Monk led the way for the Kings with 37 points and 9 assists off the bench, and Domantas Sabonis had a monster 22 point, 23 rebound and 12 assist triple-double.
Three in the Key
Free up Fox
The last time these two teams played, De’Aaron Fox had a rough game, scoring just 15 points on 6-22 shooting and that’s despite playing nearly 44 minutes. Jalen Suggs did a fantastic job defending him and if it weren’t for Malik Monk or other guys stepping up it would have likely been a loss. The Kings tend to go as De’Aaron goes for the most part, and his 0-9 start against the Wizards on Thursday was a big reason for Sacramento’s slow start. De’Aaron has improved as a three point shooter but at times this season it seems as though he forces the outside shot instead of trying to attack the paint and midrange where he has thrived for his career.
Three Point Variance
The same is true of the Magic today as it was the last time they faced the Kings: They make the fewest threes in the entire league, averaging just 11 makes a game. That didn’t stop them from becoming an absolute inferno against the Kings back in January, setting a new franchise record with 25. Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs both made six, and Caleb Houston, Chuma Okeke and Wendell Carter Jr. combined to make 10 of 13. I know the Kings three point defense is not good, but this was insane shooting variance for the Magic and it’s a minor miracle that the Kings still somehow managed to win. A big reason the Kings won was that they dominated the paint battle; If they can do that again tonight and the Magic return to normal from distance, they should have a decent chance to take this game.
Watch out for Paolo
Paolo Banchero absolutely torched the Kings in their last matchup, scoring a career-high 43 points, including 6-9 from three. For the season he’s a much improved three point shooter, making 36.9% of his attempts. My worry is that the Kings don’t have a ton of options to throw at him, especially with Trey Lyles out. Keegan Murray is probably the best option, but then who guards Franz Wagner? It’s going to be a tough matchup for Sacramento, especially as Paolo is skilled enough to punish doubles with his excellent passing as well.
Prediction
The Kings and Magic don’t go to double OT this time but it’s not for a lack of trying. Franz Wagner’s three point attempt at the end of regulation goes in but it is determined to be after the buzzer and the Kings win.
Kings 113, Magic 110
Fan Predictions
Link to Leaderboard (Updated 2/21/24)
