3 Keys for the Sacramento Kings to keep their playoff hopes alive 

1. Doing all the little things

This game will most likely come down to the wire—unless the Pelicans manage to repeat what they did to the Kings in the regular season— and in close games like that, the team that does the little things usually wins. That includes fighting over screens defensively, not giving up any ground, stepping in to take charges, and getting deflections. 

De’Aaron Fox is one of the top players in the league when it comes to deflections, and Keon Ellis would be as well if he had gotten consistent minutes all season long. Everyone will have to do the little things like that on both ends of the floor, because, in a game against a terrible matchup with the playoffs on the line, you cannot leave anything to chance. 

Rebounding is also a big part of doing all the little things. Crashing the class is hard work, especially for guards. Domantas Sabonis leads the league in rebounding, but the Kings cannot rely on him alone tonight. The Pelicans have too many big bodies he will have to compete with, so everyone will have to pitch in.

The Kings and Pelicans both average 44 rebounds per game. Winning that battle could very well make the difference between winning and losing. Offensive rebounds often mean second-chance points, and defensive rebounds wrap up possessions with a stop. If the Kings grab more rebounds than the Pelicans on both ends of the floor, they will most likely win the possession game and that will make the game easier.