Game Preview: Sacramento Kings (23-31) at Denver Nuggets (22-34)
The Sacramento Kings (23-31) have the chance to become 2-0 since the All-Star break, both wins against the same team.
The Denver Nuggets (22-34) traveled to Sacramento this past Friday and were not able to come out with the win. Improved defense and a well-rested Kings team led Sacramento to pulling out the victory 116-110.
The big thing for the Kings heading into the game tonight will be how much they have continued to practice defense.
The Kings were up by nearly 20 points during one point of last Friday’s game before blowing that lead and having to claw it out with the Nuggets late in the game. As long as the Kings keep practicing defense, it is bound to get better which will help them win more games.
The Kings need this win tonight because of their difficult schedule coming up. After this game against the Nuggets, the Kings play 6 straight games against teams currently in the Western Conference playoff picture.
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They start and finish the stretch against the Spurs and they play the likes of the Clippers, Thunder, Grizzlies, and Mavericks in between those two games.
Getting a win tonight could give the Kings the spark they need to steal a few of those 6 games and remain as a team that could still potentially make the playoffs.
The Kings need to do three things in order to win tonight’s game.
- They need to establish an inside presence early with DeMarcus Cousins
The Kings took some time establishing DeMarcus Cousins as a disruptive offensive option down low the last time these teams met. They fed him the ball and allowed him to drive to the basket. As a result, he ended the game with 37 points.
- Keep with the defense.
The Kings their last time out played good defense early in the game. They stayed on their defensive assignments and played tight on their opponents. But once the Nuggets started to get passed the defense, the Kings were quick to abandon their defensive game plan. Stick with the game plan even if there are a few hiccups along the way. The team will benefit from it in the long run.
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- Play aggressively.
The Kings need to play aggressively. They start games out playing hard but then they seem to become too relaxed when that hustle results in an early lead. If they keep the level of intensity up then the Kings could be a very scary team come late March/early April.