Sacramento Kings: Game 74 Preview vs Memphis Grizzlies
By Tyler Watts
The Sacramento Kings return home to face the Memphis Grizzlies on March 27, 2017. This article provides a preview of that game from a Kings’ perspective.
The Sacramento Kings host the Memphis Grizzlies tonight inside the Golden 1 Center. This game marks the second of a back-to-back for both teams and is their fourth and final head-to-head meeting this regular season. Memphis has defeated the Kings in two of the three previous meetings.
In the last meeting, the Kings traveled to Memphis and were dominated by the Grizzlies 107-91 on January 20. Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 28 points and the Kings just couldn’t hold serve. Below is a highlight video from that game to refresh your memory on the matchup.
Let us now move forward to rest of the preview for tonight’s contest between the Sacramento Kings and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Injuries
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento ruled their second player out for the season on Sunday. It was reported that Malachi Richardson will join Rudy in being sidelined for the remainder of the season. Injuries are always difficult, but hopefully, Malachi comes back stronger next season.
The Sacramento Kings have three other players listed on their injury report according to Basketball Monster. Ty Lawson is questionable with a knee injury and both Arron Afflalo and Kosta Koufos are listed as probable with a rest tag. Stay tuned to see who suits up for the Kings tonight.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies have star player Marc Gasol listed on the injury report. Gasol has a foot injury that leaves him questionable to play in this contest. It seems like this is a minor injury, but he could be rested tonight to not further aggravate it.
Stay Alert
As always, check twitter or watch the pregame show to get the final statuses on Lawson, Afflalo, Koufos, and Gasol plus any late breaking information that comes down the newswire. This is the second of a back-to-back for both squads so do not be surprised to see multiple players being rested tonight.
What to Watch for Tonight
Team Work
This is a Kings team that has to work together and make the collective stronger than the sum of its parts. My colleague Christy Coccia wrote a fantastic article here discussing Sacramento’s style of play and how exciting that is.
It will take another team effort tonight to defeat an always tough Grizzlies squad tonight. It will be very interesting to see how Coach Joerger attacks this game and if he can find the winning formula.
Revenge Game
Coach Joerger probably circled this game and the three others on the calendar against Memphis before the season started. Joerger coached in Memphis for nine seasons before taking over as Sacramento’s head man this season. His stint in Memphis included the last three seasons as head coach and a playoff berth in each of those three campaigns. I think there is always a little extra motivation to knock off your former employer, so expect a little extra fire from the Coach tonight.
Rest, Rest, Rest
The most frustrating thing about this Sacramento Kings squad is the resting of players for seemingly no reason. If the goal is to play the young players then tell the veterans you are shutting them down for the season and let the kids play. Do not force the veterans to play one night and then conspicuously sit the bench the next game.
I am not part of the decision-making team, though so this will continue to happen. I expect Tyreke Evans to be rested tonight because of his back-to-back limitations, but keep an eye out for who else gets hung with the dreaded rest tag.
Summary
There you have it, my game preview for tonight’s contest between the Sacramento Kings and the Memphis Grizzlies. I will apologize for the preview being a little light today as other things got in the way. It will return to full strength for Wednesday’s game.
Hopefully, you can sit back and enjoy the game tonight and the Kings rewarded us all with another exciting victory.
Next: Looking at the Week Ahead for the Sacramento Kings
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