All but mathematically eliminated from postseason contention, the Sacramento Kings don’t have a whole lot to play for at this point in the season. What the Kings do have, however, is an opportunity to play spoiler Monday night against the Chicago Bulls.
Chicago currently sits in eighth place in the Eastern Conference at 35-33, one percentage point ahead of the ninth-place Detroit Pistons. A loss to the Kings would likely knock the Bulls into ninth and out of the current playoff picture.
It’s not as motivating as actually playing for the playoffs, but the chance to play spoiler should provide some sort of impetus for Sacramento.
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The last time these two teams faced off, the Bulls were missing their best player in Jimmy Butler, as well as two stellar role players (Nikola Mirotic and Mike Dunleavy). Butler’s absence seemed to matter little, as E’Twaun Moore went 9-16 from the field and 4-5 from beyond the arc for 24 points to propel Chicago to a 107-102 win.
Moore’s explosion not only left most fans misspelling his name in google searches, it also highlighted Sacramento’s apparent inability to guard the perimeter against even the most unknown of guards. Owners of a league-worst points allowed average of 109.2 a game, the Kings have struggled to guard any spot on the court, but the perimeter defense has been especially weak.
That defense, however, looked much stronger Sunday night against the New York Knicks, as the Kings held the Kurt Rambis-led squad to only 80 points. Granted, the Knicks were without All-Star Carmelo Anthony, but it was still arguably Sacramento’s strongest defensive performance of the season.
More of that defense will be necessary Monday night if the Kings really do want to play spoiler. The Bulls will have Butler this time around, although Moore, a bane of the Kings, is out with a hamstring injury. Pau Gasol, who had 16 points and 13 rebounds will also be out, depriving Sacramento fans a chance to see what could have been had the trade deadline gone differently.
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DeMarcus Cousins was his usual dominant self back in February when these teams last met. The All-Star center dropped 30 points and 11 rebounds on the combined forces of Gasol and Taj Gibson, and will look to do the same to Gibson Monday night.
Backup point guard and offensive sparkplug Darren Collison went 8-11 for 19 points in that earlier matchup, an offensive performance the Kings will be counting on to help counter the one-two punch of Butler and Derrick Rose.
Starting point guard Rajon Rondo has been in a bit of a funk lately, scoring only two points with six assists Sunday night against the Knicks. Rondo’s ball movement and leadership are integral parts of the Kings offense, so getting the Kentucky product back on track will be a priority for George Karl and the rest of the Kings.