A Royal Pain
Fansided

Kings: Division Matchup – Not overlooking the Phoenix Suns

By Brenden Nunes

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 23: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns faces off against Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Sacramento Kings on March 23, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 23: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns faces off against Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Sacramento Kings on March 23, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Sacramento Kings don’t play anyone more often than their own division, and it will be crucial to win the “easy ones” against the Phoenix Suns.

The Sacramento Kings need every win possible to have a chance at the playoffs this season. A few years back, we saw Denver and Minnesota fighting for the 8th seed in the West up until the final game of the regular season. And there is no opponent Sacramento will see more often than those sharing their extremely challenging Pacific Division.

I will eventually get to the overwhelming talented teams sharing the Staples Center (Clippers are here) and have already covered a potentially favorable matchup against the new-look Golden State Warriors, but the must-win games can sometimes be the most difficult to stay locked in for. The Phoenix Suns are likely to be near the bottom of that division, but they are still an NBA team with talented young players across the board that should not be overlooked.

Recent History

Last season, Sacramento did a decent job of coming out victorious against the teams they were “supposed to” beat. They ended the year with a 22-11 record (66% win-rate) against teams below .500 and 8 of those losses came from MIN, LAL, or NOP. They were 18-3 (a 85% win-rate) if you exclude those three teams. They were 3-1 against Phoenix specifically, the lone loss featuring a memorable 33-14 third quarter favoring the Suns. Those types of collapses hurt, and they add up.

When you are the more talented roster, you generally can play your own game and let the opponent be the ones to adapt to your style. The Kings will run and take advantage of the Phoenix turnovers, Devin Booker having 5 of his own per showing last year.  But just as Sacramento has new additions and coaching changes, Phoenix had a busy summer of their own.

A Chat With Valley of the Suns

To help with insight on the changes in style due to a new coaching staff and various players, I have called upon Sammy Cibulka of the Phoenix Suns’ FanSided outlet, Valley of the Suns.

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