Preview: 2nd-seed Grizz, 3rd-seed Kings to square off at Golden 1 Center

Jan 23, 2023, 9:59 AM

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 01: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball during the...

(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

The second-seed Memphis Grizzlies (31-15) will face off against the third-seed Sacramento Kings (26-19) on Monday night in a game televised nationally on NBA TV.

Sacramento has recently struggled against the Grizzlies, as Memphis holds an 8-1 record against the Kings since the start of the 2020-21 season.

Both teams are coming off of recent losses, as the Kings had a six-game winning streak snapped on Saturday night by the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Grizzlies have followed up an 11-game win streak with two-straight losses.

While Memphis will be on the second night of a back-to-back, Sacramento has not fared well against teams playing on short rest this season. However, the Kings are 19-7 on one day of rest this season, so let’s see if Sunday’s off-day can do this team some favors.

Here is everything that you need to know for Kings vs. Grizzlies:

The Sacramento Kings are 19-7 this season when they play on 1 day of rest.

0 days rest: 3-4
2 days rest: 4-5
3+ days rest: 0-3

Let's hope that yesterday’s off-day can do them some good.

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) January 23, 2023

Sacramento Kings vs. Memphis Grizzlies Game Info

When: 7:30 PM PST

Where: Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA

TV: NBC Sports California, NBA TV

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Pregame coverage starts at 6:00 PM PST on Game Night

Line: Grizzleis -1, O/U: 246.5

Tickets: Click here

What To Watch For

Rebound, Rebound, Rebound

Saturday’s loss against the 76ers was arguably Sacramento’s weakest rebounding performance of the season.

The Kings finished the night with 29 rebounds (second-lowest in a game this season) against a Philadelphia team that was playing without All-Star center Joel Embiid (9.8 rebounds per game).

Things won’t get any easier for Sacramento on Monday night as they will face the best rebounding team in the NBA, as the Grizzlies enter play averaging just under 50 boards per game (against the Kings 42.5 per game; 25th in the league).

Domantas Sabonis snapped his 10+ game rebound streak at 21 games during Saturday’s losing effort, but Sacramento will need the hopeful All-Star to get back on track against a formidable Memphis frontline that includes Steven Adams and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Adams is the greatest threat to giving the Kings a rough night, as the veteran big has averaged 16.7 rebounds per game against Sacramento this season (three appearances).

Get Monk Going

The Kings need more out of their bench if they want to keep pace in the West.

Sacramento only scored 20 bench points during Saturday night’s game, and Malik Monk continued to struggle as the guard finished the night with nine points on three-of-10 shooting (one-of-five from three-point land).

Over his past four appearances, Monk is averaging 4.5 points per game on 20 percent shooting from the field and .071 percent shooting from deep–yes, a hair above zero percent.

Since his red-hot start to the season, the 24-year-old has regressed over the past two months:

November (14 games): 17.2 PTS | 53% FG | 37% 3PT 🔥

December (14 games): 14.4 PTS | 40% FG | 28% 3PT ❄️

January (10 games): 8.7 PTS | 32% FG | 24% 3PT ❄️

Monk continues to chip in by distributing the basketball (career-high 3.8 assists per game), but the Kings are much more dangerous when he is scoring the basketball efficiently.

Fox vs. Morant

De’Aaron Fox and Ja Morant will meet for the 10th time on Monday night, as Fox will look to even the all-time head-to-head series at five games apiece.

Here is where the Fox vs. Morant battle currently stands entering play at Golden 1 Center: