The Minnesota Timberwolves are reeling, and visit an also-struggling Sacramento Kings team in tonight’s matchup.
Tonight’s contest between the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves features two teams that are in a freefall, losing a combined 15 games in a row and losing ground in the Western Conference.
The Wolves, losers of 11 straight, have been without Karl-Anthony Towns for their last four games and he is listed as questionable for tonight. His potential absence is likely the reason why the Kings are such heavy favorites after losing games against beatable teams over the last week. No team that loses to the Knicks, Hornets, and Grizzlies in an eight-day span deserves to be five-point favorites, but that is where the Kings find themselves.
Sacramento will play two winnable games against fellow mid-tier Western Conference opponents, followed by games against Denver and LA Clippers to wrap up 2019.
Here’s what you need to know about tonight’s contest:
Tip-off: 7:00PM PT
Radio: 1140 KHTK
Watch: NBC Sports California, or stream live on Fubo.tv
Betting Info:
Spread: Kings -5
Over/Under: 221.5
Money Line:
Kings -220
Wolves +175
Against The Spread:
Kings 16-14
Wolves 10-17-2
(Courtesy of the Action Network)
Injury Report:
Kings:
Bogdan Bogdanovic – Questionable (ankle)
Wolves:
Shabazz Napier: Questionable (illness)
Karl-Anthony Towns: Questionable (knee)
Jake Layman: Out (toe)
Last 5 Meetings:
2/25/19 – Wolves 112, Kings 105
12/17/18 – Wolves 132, Kings 105
12/12/18 – Kings 141, Wolves 130
11/9/18 – Kings 121, Wolves 110
2/26/18 – Wolves 118, Kings 100
Players To Watch:
The injuries that are affecting each of these teams could end up being the story of this game. Towns is obviously Minnesota’s most important player, though they were losing when he was in the lineup as well. His absence would open things up for the Kings on both ends of the floor and would be a crucial element in securing a home victory.
As for the Kings, the status of Bogdanovic could also swing the results. Sacramento is 0-5 this season when their sixth man doesn’t play, as he provides a much-needed spark off of the bench for a team desperate for one.
Prediction:
This prediction is based on the assumption that Towns will NOT play, and Bogdanovic WILL.
Kings 119, Wolves 108