The Sacramento Kings currently own the NBA longest winning streak and are looking to extend it to seven games after taking on the Memphis Grizzlies. Can the Kings take advantage of a short-handed Grizzlies squad? Catch the game at 9 AM Manila time on Wednesday, November 23.
Away: Sacramento Kings (9-6, 3-3 Away)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: De’Aaron Fox
- SG: Kevin Huerter
- SF: Harrison Barnes
- PF: Keegan Murray
- C: Domantas Sabonis
The Kings are on fire this season, and lead the league in scoring with 121.4 points per game. That’s been due to a mix of a deadly two-playmaker combo of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, along with hot shooting from the likes of Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk.
Fox, who was recently named the Western Conference player of the week after averaging 25 points, eight assists and 3.7 rebounds in his last three games, has been the focal point of a rejuvenated Kings offense that thrives on cuts, handoffs, and screens. Domantas Sabonis is the other key part of the engine that revs that offense, and his 17.5 points, 10.9 rebounds and six assists per game show how important his all-around contributions are.
However, the supporting cast has taken turns in having big games, and the Kings can look to Huerter, Monk, Murray or Barnes to lighten the load on their stars’ shoulders. The key concern is still defense, though, as the Kings allow opponents to score 117.5 points per game. Fortunately for them, it looks like the Grizzlies will be without two of their most potent attackers in Ja Morant and Desmond Bane.
The Kings are 5-1 ATS as the away team this season.
Home: Memphis Grizzlies (10-7, 6-1 Home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Tyus Jones / Ja Morant (doubtful)
- SG: John Konchar
- SF: Dillon Brooks
- PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
- C: Steven Adams
Missing Ja Morant and Desmond Bane will hurt the Grizzlies against the Kings. While they’re still slight favorites, it’s not ideal to be facing the conference’s hottest team without two of your best players.
The Grizzlies must still be taken seriously, though. Dillon Brooks scored 31 points in their recent 127-115 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, while Tyus Jones and John Konchar both scored in double figures as well. Additionally, Jaren Jackson Jr. looks to be available for the game, and he’s a two-way threat that the Kings may not have a good answer for.
An x-factor for the game will be Steven Adams, who is one of the rare NBA players that has the size and strength to seriously bother Domantas Sabonis. Adams will likely use his physical advantages to try to bully Sabonis into a sub-par performance, and if he succeeds in doing that, the Grizzlies have a good shot at winning.
Memphis are 5-2 ATS as the home team this season.
PREDICTION:
Spread: The Kings were recently humbled after needing a rally to beat a short-handed Pistons team, and should be more focused. The +1.5 looks good for them.
Over/Under: The over 233.5 looks good, considering that the Kings still need to show that they can consistently defend well over four quarters.
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