Preview: Fox-less Sacramento Kings Seek Third-Straight Win Against Heat

Nov 2, 2022, 9:21 AM

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket in the...

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

After starting the season off in an 0-4 hole, the Sacramento Kings have won their past two games and are looking like the team that many hoped they would be.

Fresh off of Monday’s comeback win over the Charlotte Hornets, the Kings will have a rematch of last weekend’s showdown with the Miami Heat–one that resulted in a 119-113 win for Sacramento at Golden 1 Center.

This time, the Kings will face the Heat in South Beach without the services of De’Aaron Fox (knee bruise) as they will hope to increase their winning streak to three games.

Although Fox will be sidelined, Sacramento will reap the benefit of the fact that Miami is coming off of a hard-fought game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. Could the second night of a back-to-back finally play in the Kings’ favor?

Here’s everything that you need to know for this afternoon’s Kings vs Heat matchup:

Where To Watch & Listen To Kings vs Heat

When: 4:30 PM PST

Where: FTX Arena – Miami, FL

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Pregame coverage starts at 3:00 pm PST on Game Night

What To Watch For

Davion Mitchell Carrying Over Monday’s Success

Through the first five games of the season, Davion Mitchell looked completely lost. The ninth-overall pick from the 2021 NBA Draft had averaged just 4.4 points on 34 percent shooting from the field and 16 percent from beyond the arc during Sacramento’s 1-4 start.

Thankfully, Mitchell tapped into his offense at a time the Kings desperately needed it as the second-year guard scored 23 points while shooting nine-of-11 from the field and five-of-six from beyond the three-point arc during Monday’s win in Charlotte.

With Fox sidelined, Mitchell is back in familiar territory as the starting point guard, a role that he flourished in during the final weeks of the 2021-22 season. The Kings need production out of their starting point guard position, and Mitchell has provided that when he has been called on thus far in his career:

Losing De’Aaron Fox hurts, but the Kings are in good hands with Davion Mitchell stepping into the starting PG role.

Mitchell in 19 career starts:

18.0 PTS | 7.4 AST | 45% FG | 33% 3PT

Mitchell when he has played 30+ min in his career:

17.3 PTS | 6.3 AST | 47% FG | 36% 3PT

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) November 1, 2022

Can Domantas Sabonis Stay Out Of Foul Trouble?

The Sacramento Kings need their two-time All-Star on the floor during crunch time. Simple as that.

Domantas Sabonis has been a spectator during the final minutes of Sacramento’s two-game winning streak as the talented big man continues to struggle with staying out of foul trouble.

Entering play on November 2nd, Sabonis ranks first in fouls per game (4.67) and has fouled out in three of his six appearances. The Kings need their center on the floor late, especially with Fox’s offense out of the picture for the time being. Can Sabonis find a way to cut back on the fouls?

We’ll see tonight in Miami.

Recent History

Sacramento is 2-1 against Miami dating back to the start of the 2021-22 season, but those two wins have come on their home floor at Golden 1 Center.

The Heat currently own a three-game home winning streak against the Kings that dates back to the 2019-20 season, with Sacramento’s most-recent win at FTX Arena taking place on October 29, 2018.

Injury Report

Sacramento Kings

De’Aaron Fox – OUT (right knee bone bruise)
Trey Lyles – QUESTIONABLE (right foot soreness)
(Keon Ellis, Chima Moneke, and Neemias Queta are on assignment with G-League affiliate Stockton)

Miami Heat