Win or Go Home: Kings look to force Game 7 against Warriors

There might not be a tomorrow for the Sacramento Kings.

After allowing the Golden State Warriors to win three-straight games in this best-of-seven series, the Kings will need to win two-straight games this weekend to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs.

It’s win or go home for Sacramento on Friday night, as the Warriors can put the finishing touches on this 3-2 series with a win at Chase Center, a place that has been a nightmare for the Kings over the past three seasons.

Sacramento has yet to lose four-straight games since the opening four games of the regular season when they opened up the year with an 0-4 record.

If they want to avoid bookending the year with four-game losing streaks, they’ll need to beat Golden State in San Francisco, something that only eight teams could do over 41 attempts this season.

It’s simple for the Kings: You play today, you win today. Right now, there is no tomorrow for this team.

In a year of surprises and exceeded expectations, this team has one more chance to prove the basketball masses wrong again. Can Sacramento force a Game 7 against the defending champions?

"We've been in this situation all year. Lose a couple, then come back and win a couple in a row. It's just another task in front of us."

Malik Monk and Harrison Barnes made it clear that the Kings have no intention of rolling over in Game 6.https://t.co/O9fXRcRWgQ

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) April 27, 2023

Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors Game Info

Series: Warriors lead 3-2

When: 5:00 PM PST

Where: Chase Center – San Francisco, CA

TV: ESPN, NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Pregame coverage starts at 3:30 PM PST on Game Night

Line: Warriors -7.5, O/U: 234.5

Will The Shots Fall When The Kings Need Them Most?

During the opening minutes of Wednesday’s Game 5, it seemed as if Sacramento had figured out its three-point shooting woes.

The Kings went eight-for-12 (67%) during the first quarter in what was the team’s strongest showing yet from beyond the arc. De’Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray, and Davion Mitchell all knocked down at least two triples during the opening quarter as it looked like it would be a busy night from three.

Or not.

Sacramento went two-for-22 (9%) from three-point land during the final three quarters of a 123-116 loss to continue its Jekyl & Hyde trend from the perimeter.

After scoring 10 points on two-of-three shooting from deep over the first 10 minutes of Game 5, Murray didn’t take another field goal attempt for the remainder of the night. Fox, who made three triples during the first quarter, didn’t make another while finishing the night three-of-ten.

Kevin Huerter’s struggles continued in Game 5 as ‘Red Velvet’ went one-for-four from the three-point line during just 16 minutes of play as head coach Mike Brown opted to play Mitchell heavy minutes for defensive purposes.

Huerter, one of the best shooters in the league this season, has been held to a 16 percent average from three during this series.

Huerter step-back from DEEP 👌

📺: NBC Sports California
📱: https://t.co/PWXRldMT8w pic.twitter.com/yATmJbisq2

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) April 27, 2023

Golden State has allowed teams to shoot 40 percent from three while on the road this season, and the Kings couldn’t take advantage as they finished the night 10-of-34 (29%).

The Warriors are 8-24 this season when they allow an opponent to shoot 40 percent or better from three-point land.

If Sacramento wants to extend its season, they’re going to need to find a way to knock down looks at a consistent rate in San Francisco on Friday.

Keep Kevon Looney Off The Glass

The Golden State Warriors might win this series because of one man, and his name doesn’t end with Curry.

Kevon Looney has been an absolute nightmare for the Kings. The center has posted two 20-rebound games during this series, including a 22-rebound performance in Game 5 that also included seven assists and eight points.

His 14.4 rebounds per game lead the NBA Playoffs, as well as his 4.2 offensive rebounds per game.

Looney has been making a notable impact on the offensive glass, giving the Warriors several second-chance point opportunities. Golden State took advantage of Looney’s seven offensive rebounds during Game 5 to score 18 second-chance points.

The 27-year-old big man has made life difficult for All-Star center Domantas Sabonis, holding the Kings’ big to 52 percent shooting on two-point field goal attempts–11 percent less than his regular season average.

Sacramento needs to find a way to match Looney’s physicality in Game 6 and limit the Warriors’ offensive rebounds. Could Mike Brown look to someone like Chimezie Metu for more quickness and athleticism on the boards?

Alex Len is currently occupying the reserve center role, but it could be time to shake things up, especially if the Warriors go on a run during the first half.

Kevon Looney in the playoffs:

— 1st in rebounds
— 50th in minutes

Beast. pic.twitter.com/0NhD4mfTef

— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 27, 2023

Metu grabbed nine rebounds against the Warriors during the final regular season matchup between the two teams on April 9th. The Kings don’t have many options when it comes to rebounding and athleticism on their bench.

If Looney gets comfortable against Sabonis and Len, I’d expect Brown shakes things up with somebody like Metu during those bench big minutes.

Can The Kings Find Success in the House of Horrors?

The Warriors are very hard to beat at Chase Center. Golden State’s home record of 33-8 was the third-best in the NBA.

Sacramento has struggled to beat the Warriors on the road, as they have lost eight-straight games at Chase Center dating back to the start of the 2020-21 regular season.

The Kings’ last win at Chase Center came on February 25, 2020.

Listen To The Game

Win or go home.

The Kings will be traveling to San Francisco for a rare 5:00 PM PST start time for Game 6 on Friday afternoon.

Be sure to get all of your Kings vs. Warriors coverage starting at 2:00 PM PST on Cattles & Ramie before a 5:00 PM PST tip-off from San Francisco with the the G-Man, Gary Gerould, on the call.

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Schedule

NBA Western Conference Playoffs – First Round

• Friday, April 28th – Game 6: Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors – 5:00 PM PST
• Sunday, April 30th – Game 7**: Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors – TBD

**If necessary

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