Which Kings Team Will We See Against the Hawks Tonight?
By Rafe Wong
With a season that has been filled with notable wins against the Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls, and the Memphis Grizzlies, there have also been eye-opening losses against teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic (twice), and the LA Lakers.
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The Kings have been known around the league as a team that has no identity, but their identity all along has been inconsistency. So as the Kings face the Atlanta Hawks tonight for the second time in a week span, which team will fans see tonight?
For the Kings (22-43) to have any chance tonight against the dominate Hawks (52-14), they must bring their A game for the full 48 minutes. Unlike Sacramento, Atlanta has remained consistent throughout the season — consistently well.
There may be a hangover from the abyssal road trip the Kings recently had, but does anyone really expect Sacramento to get a win tonight against a formidable Hawks team that controls things in the Eastern Conference?
Sure the Kings are returning home, where they play much better. There have also been reports that Hawks starters Kyle Korver and Al Horford will sit out tonight’s game as well. But considering how the Kings have played recently (especially their last two games), I can’t see the Kings pulling out a win against a Hawks team that is so accustomed to winning this season.
However, I do see the absence of Horford and Korver being a factor, considering that both played big the last time these teams met in Atlanta last Monday. But even with that being said, the Hawks still might have two more All-Stars that will play tonight (two times more than the Kings) in Jeff Teague and Paul Millsap, with the support of a bench that plays as efficient as half the starting lineups in the NBA.
In the end, I cannot see Sacramento pulling this win out. Atlanta is the real deal, and to add injury to insult, the Kings are in rut right now that has shown no signs of them getting out. Also, Rudy Gay’s knee injury might have him sidelined tonight as well, and if Rudy is a no show for tonight, it definitely will not make it any easier for the Kings to perform the upset.
I envision the Kings starting out with high energy, but eventually the Hawks will step over them and win in comfortable fashion. Come on Kings! Prove me wrong!
Atlanta Hawks Vs Sacramento Kings
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, CA
What Time: 7 pm
Where to Watch: Comcast Sportsnet California