Sacramento Kings: 2 Things To Watch For Against The Lakers

SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 10: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Sacramento Kings on November 10, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 10: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Sacramento Kings on November 10, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
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SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 10, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 10, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Headline #2: The King Sacramento Can Live Without

Matchups between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers are exciting already, but add LeBron James to the purple and gold and it takes it to another level. Unfortunately, however, the Lakers’ box-office player will not be present tonight. Due to a groin injury that King James suffered against the Warriors on Christmas Day, the superstar is now listed as day-to-day.

Although it is a shame that arguably the best basketball player ever will not be playing in the Golden 1 Center tonight, I am sure the Kings do not mind it at all. With the Lakers absent of their best player, Sacramento needs to take advantage of the opportunity. They need to play their style of basketball which is being fast on the offensive end and being physical when on defense. Even without LeBron, the Lakers still have good talent on their roster, so the purple and white cannot get caught slipping.

The Kings’ next few games are against teams that are currently ahead of them in the standings, including two against the Lakers. If the Kings are able to take advantage of LeBron’s absence and beat the Lakers twice, they would make tremendous ground in the standings and get themselves back in the playoff picture.

Schedule