Preview: Kings hope to finish six-game road trip on high note
Dec 16, 2022, 7:00 AM | Updated: 7:54 am
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Sacramento Kings (15-12) will look to put the finishing touches on a six-game road trip when they face the Detroit Pistons (8-22) on Friday night at Little Caesars Arena.
Sacramento snapped a two-game skid on Wednesday night when they pulled out a narrow 124-123 win over the Toronto Raptors to improve to 2-3 on the East Coast road trip, giving themselves a chance to return home having posted a .500 record during their time away.
Following Friday’s game in Detroit, the Kings will open up a six-game home stand that will take them through the remainder of the calendar year.
Here’s everything that you need to know for Sacramento’s matchup against the Pistons:
Only two players in the NBA are currently averaging 15+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists per game while shooting ≥60% FG:
Nikola Jokić
Domantas Sabonis pic.twitter.com/1pi5ZeZW8U— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) December 15, 2022
Sacramento Kings vs. Detroit Pistons Game Info
When: 4:00 PM PST
Where: Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Pregame coverage starts at 2:30 PM PST on Game Night
Line: Kings -5.5, O/U: 238
What To Watch For
Attack, Attack, Attack
After scoring 124 points during Wednesday’s win–the most points that Sacramento has scored since December 3rd–the Kings should look to hammer Detroit’s weak defense.
The Pistons enter play on Friday, allowing 117.6 points per game this season (29th in the NBA), including an average of 120 points per game since November 29th.
Sacramento pushed its offense out of a funk during a 124-123 win over Toronto, as they shot 48 percent from the field and 37 percent from beyond the arc. The Kings will face a Detroit defense that surrenders 54.6 points in the paint (29th in the NBA), meaning Domantas Sabonis should get a heavy dose of post-up opportunities.
This six-game road trip is ending, and the Kings are in position to return home having posted a 3-3 record during their time away. Friday’s game shouldn’t be taken lightly, even if the Pistons own the second-worst record in the league.
The last time these two teams met on November 20th, it took a late push from Sacramento to pull out a 135-127 win. Good teams handle games like these, especially after the Kings just spend most of this six-game road trip facing top-10 defenses (Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Toronto).
It’s time to see if the Kings are up for the challenge, with that challenge being a stress-free win over a lesser opponent.
Hello, Old Friend
Friday’s game will feature Sacramento’s second meeting with former second-overall pick Marvin Bagley III since the team dealt the forward to Detroit during February’s deadline.
During November 20th’s matchup at Golden 1 Center, Bagley scored 15 points (five-of-nine shooting from the field) and grabbed six rebounds over 20 minutes that included lots of boos from fans in attendance.
Mostly boos for Marvin Bagley III in his return to Golden 1 Center. pic.twitter.com/dIVa1EX40k
— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) November 20, 2022
Bagley has started in 13 of his 17 games this season, but the 22-year-old has recently been moved back into a bench role. The Duke product is averaging 11.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting 54 percent from the field and 31 percent from three-point land.
Nobody likes seeing revenge games, so let’s hope that Sacramento avoids letting the fifth-year big man get into a rhythm on Friday.
Recent History
- Sacramento owns a 3-2 record vs. Detroit since the beginning of the 2020-21 season
Injury Report
Sacramento
- Kevin Huerter – QUESTIONABLE (left ankle soreness)
- Alex Len – OUT (not with team)
- Chima Moneke is on a G-League assignment with the Stockton Kings.
Detroit
- Cade Cunningham – OUT (right tibia stress fracture)
- Isaiah Livers – OUT (right shoulder sprain)
Postgame Show
Check out our Sactown Sports Kings Recap Show on the Sactown Sports 1140 YouTube channel!
Sactown Sports Kings Recap Shows will be happening all season long, immediately following each Kings game!
Upcoming Sacramento Kings Schedule
Friday, December 16th – Sacramento Kings @ Detroit Pistons – 4:00 PM PST
Monday, December 19th – Sacramento Kings vs Charlotte Hornets – 7:00 PM PST
Wednesday, December 21st – Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Lakers – 7:00 PM PST
Friday, December 23rd – Sacramento Kings vs Washington Wizards – 7:00 PM PST
Tuesday, December 27th – Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets – 7:00 PM PST
Wednesday, December 28th – Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets – 7:00 PM PST
