Previewing the Sacramento Kings Final Game In Sleep Train (Arco) Arena
By Rafe Wong
Well, it’s finally here. The night where emotions will be spiraling uncontrollably around 1 Sports Parkway, Sacramento, CA. Yes, it is the final game that the Sacramento Kings will play in their beloved Sleep Train Arena.
For the Kings to make tonight’s contest magical for their fans to remember, it won’t easy as the Oklahoma City Thunder will come storming into the facility. The Thunder are currently the 3rd seed in the Western Conference with a record of 54-25.
Sacramento, with the exception of Marco Belinelli and Omri Casspi, should have everyone on their roster ready to suit up. For the Kings to execute the perfect upset tonight they have to follow these major keys.
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Offensively, they will need the “Big Three” to have an outstanding outing tonight. This dynamic trio consists of DeMarcus Cousins, Rajon Rondo, and Rudy Gay who have all been primary components to the Kings offensive success this season.
If the trio plus Darren Collison, who normally is a reliable contributor to the Kings, can all be solid offensively it will give the Thunder’s defense (ranked 16th in the league) fits for the night.
Defensively, the Kings need to maintain the duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. For the Thunder, Durant and Westbrook together contribute to 51.7 points per game. The duo arguably contains 2 of the 5 best players in the league.
The Kings can’t endure the noise that the Thunder duo makes, but if they can, at least, avoid the lightning that can be struck it would help immensely. It will be hard however since the Kings defense has been horrendous this season surrendering an average of 109 points per game to their opponents.
Finally, what the Kings need to do in tonight’s contest is show effort and lots of it. This is the final game of Sleep Train Arena and emotions and excitement are going to be at their highest level.
The Kings are known to have a loud and rowdy fanbase so if Sacramento can show the acceptable level of hustle and heart for a full 48 minutes the fans are going to give them momentum throughout the game.
Although this evening’s game will not be significant in terms of a record standpoint for the purple and white, it is the last game in Sleep Train (Arco) Arena so there will be no reason not to be motivated to play for a win.
A bevy of legends from the Kings organization are scheduled to come as well which includes former head coach Rick Adelman, former general manager Geoff Petrie, legendary players Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic, Vlade Divac, and much more (including Spud Webb!).
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Hopefully, the Kings can put on a show in front of their rambunctious and faithful fans and come out with a thunderous upset to cap off what has been a great 31-year tenure in Arco.