Game Preview: Three Keys For The Sacramento Kings Against The Washington Wizards
By Rafe Wong
The Sacramento Kings only have five games left in their beloved Sleep Train (Arco) Arena, and the countdown continues tonight against the Washington Wizards.
Similar to the Kings, the Wizards have had a disappointing season compared to their standards. A team that was playing in the Eastern Conference Semifinals just last season has struggled this year with a record of 36-37, looking outside of the playoffs currently.
The last time these two teams met was in the month of December and the purple and white lost the game 99-113. In order for Sacramento to change the results, this time, they will need to follow these three keys to the game.
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Guard The Perimeter, Please: It has been no mystery that Sacramento has had their troubles guarding the perimeter, and it will be put to the test tonight. Washington may have one of the best guard duos in the league in John Wall and Bradley Beal. They also have players like Jared Dudley and Otto Porter that can shoot solid from the perimeter as well.
Sacramento is currently last in the league in allowed three-point field goals made per game (10.2) and if the Kings continue their defensive woes tonight, the Wizards will have a field day from the perimeter tonight in Sacramento.
Play The Young Fellas: Young players like Seth Curry and Willie Cauley-Stein have benefitted from their recent extended playing time. In the last three games, the pair has averaged a whopping 35.6 points per game.
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If the Kings going to be competitive tonight they must continue to get production from their youth. The Kings have won 2 of their last 3 games, and a big reason why they have been victorious lately is because Cauley-Stein and Curry are out on the court making plays for their team.
The Great Rudini: The last time the Kings played Washington, Rudy Gay scored 16 points but only shot 35.3% from the floor. The Kings will need their starting small forward to produce a better game tonight.
In games this season, Gay has been a significant factor in both the wins and losses for Sacramento. In wins this season Gay is averaging 19.5 points off of 52.5% shooting from the court, and in losses is only averaging 15.5 points per game off 43.1% shooting.
Gay has earned the reputation throughout his career to be an elite scorer, and the Kings will need him to live up to that rep tonight in order to give the Wizards defense fits.