Can Kings Finally Overcome Warriors?
While the Kings are going to get their victories against teams like the Suns or the Thunder, it is the games that they play against fellow contenders that will prove to be the most important ones of the season.
The Kings will play against the possibly-vulnerable Golden State Warriors for the second time on January 6th, at home in the Golden 1 Center. The first matchup, in December, will be in the middle of a stretch in which the Kings play 8 of 10 on the road. Sacramento may come in to that game gassed and weary from the travel. Keep expectations low for that one.
The game in January is a different story. The Kings play at home in 10 of 12 contests beginning on December 23rd, the game against the Warriors coming right in the middle of that stretch. The Kings should be comfortable, confident, and ready to finally battle for Northern California supremacy.
One positive for Sacramento will be the absence of Klay Thompson, a notorious King slayer. Thompson’s father Mychal said recently that he doesn’t expect Klay back on the court until late January or early February, and that’s not even game action. Look for Fox and Buddy to take advantage of the Warriors below-average defensive backcourt and deliver a much-needed victory for the Kings.