Game Preview: Sacramento Kings Face Opportunities Against Lakers
By Rafe Wong
The last time the Sacramento Kings won a game was 12 days ago. Tonight they have a great opportunity to break their losing streak (currently at 5 games) in the Staples Center as they play the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers in NBA history are one of the most prosperous franchises to play professional basketball, but in recent years, they have been the opposite of success.
The Lakers have been in rebuilding mode since the 2013-2014 season but based on their past records they have gotten gradually worse. Right now the Lakers stand at a record of 14-53 and are in a position to get the 2nd overall pick in the NBA Draft. Again.
Sacramento should come out of this game with a victory easily, but this game is also a great opportunity to showcase the young talent that the Kings have on their current roster.
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In a recent article I wrote, I discussed the idea that the Kings should not make winning the main priority this season going forward, and instead, they should start to tinker with different lineups and play their young players significant minutes to hopefully speed up their development process.
With the Lakers being an inferior opponent, the Kings can test players like Willie Cauley-Stein, Ben McLemore, and Seth Curry to see how they play when given lots of playing time.
Tonight’s game is a good time for the Kings to experience different personnel, but the purple and white still want to win this game as well. In order to do so, the Kings basically need to play adequately on both ends of the court.
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The Lakers are currently ranked 28th in the league in points scored per game (97.9) and ranked 27th in points allowed per game (106.8).
As long as the Kings can continue their offensive ways, being ranked 3rd in points scored (106.7), and, at least, play mediocre defense they should be fine tonight.
Basically, being present on defense and being active will be enough, but when you are ranked dead last in points allowed per game (109.5) it doesn’t come often.
Overall, great opportunity for Sacramento to win tonight and to also evaluate their young players when given an increase in playing time.
The Kings have dominated the Lakers this season by leading the series 3-0. If anything can go positive this season is that the Kings, at least, can sweep their long-time division foe. Even if it’s against arguably the worst Laker team in history.