A Royal Pain
Fansided

Sacramento Kings: Game 62 Preview vs Utah Jazz

By Tyler Watts

Dec 21, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ty Lawson (10) drives to the hoop against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Utah Jazz 94-93. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ty Lawson (10) drives to the hoop against Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the fourth quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Utah Jazz 94-93. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next

What to Watch for Tonight

New Game, New Lineup?

Coach Dave Joerger has been inconsistent with his starting five and rotations all season, but he has been looking like a mad scientist since the All-Star break.  It seems that every game he comes out with a new starting five and different rotation pieces.  That is just not the blueprint to winning NBA games.

Most players (and people for that matter) thrive on consistency and habit.  The Kings’ players cannot create a routine or any consistency if they have no idea when they are going in and for how long.

I hope this is Coach Joerger just trying to figure out his new group of players and he settles into more consistency down the stretch, but I am not sure it happens.  Stay tuned to see what the coach decides tonight and going forward.

Buddy Hield, the Kings Leading Scorer?

Since the DeMarcus Cousins trade or the All-Star break, if you prefer, Buddy Hield has scored 55 points to led Sacramento in scoring.  (To be fair, Willie Cauley-Stein and Tyreke Evans both have 54, so it is a tight race).

You could have made a lot of money off me from betting Buddy Hield led the Kings in scoring at any point during this season, but it seems to be the reality, so the question is will this keep up?

MUST READ: Fan Reactions to the DeMarcus Cousins Trade

Hield has about a 25 percent chance to make it stick.  I suspect Hield, Darren Collison, Tyreke Evans, and Willie Cauley-Stein to all average around the same scoring numbers on a per game basis, so it will come down to games played and a little bit of luck.  Expect the Kings’ new balanced attack to continue.

Ending the Losing Streak

The Sacramento Kings have lost three straight games by a combined 37 points.  Last time out, they were defeated by the team with the worst record in the NBA, the Brooklyn Nets.

The Kings need to pull out a victory tonight at home.  They want to end this five-game homestand with a flourish and if they have any hopes of clinging to playoff contention, a victory is necessary against Utah.  Here is to hoping the men can get the job done in this game.

Home/Kings News