Preview: Kings look to lengthen lead in standings over Lakers

With just over one month remaining in the 2023-24 NBA regular season, each game will have increased stakes for teams in the race for a postseason spot.

On Wednesday night, two teams with playoff hopes will face off as the Sacramento Kings (34-26) hope to increase their lead over the Los Angeles Lakers (34-29) in the Western Conference standings.

The Kings, who appeared to be well on their way to a win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night, squandered a late 22-point lead before suffering a stunning loss at Golden 1 Center. Sacramento has lost three of its past four games while teams around them in the standings have strengthened their positions in the race for a top-six spot.

One team that has turned a corner in recent weeks is the Lakers, who have won 10 of their past 14 games since holding a record of 24-25 on January 30th.

These two old Pacific Division foes will meet twice over the next seven days, and each game will have plenty of postseason implications, starting with Wednesday night’s action as the Kings (2-0 vs. LA this season) aim to secure the regular season series and all tiebreaker scenarios.

Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game Info

When: 7:30 PM PST

Where: crypto.com Arena  – Los Angeles, CA

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Coverage starts at 6:00 PM on Game Night

Line: Lakers -2.5, O/U 239.5

Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Lakers coverage, beginning at 6:00 PM PST on Game Night before a 7:30 PM PST tip-off from downtown Los Angeles.

Standings Watch

One team will exit Wednesday’s game feeling much better about their place in the Western Conference standings.

Sacramento (7th seed) currently holds a 1.5-game lead over the Lakers (9th seed), meaning that a win could put nearly three games between the two in the chase for a top-sox spot. On the other hand, a Los Angeles triumph would put them on the Kings’ doorstep, just a half-game back Sacramento with another head-to-head set to take place next week.

The standings are tight and the stakes are high. If Sacramento wants to put the surging Lakers in their rearview, taking care of business in their final two matchups will be crucial in holding their ground and ensuring that they aren’t passed up by teams beneath them in the standings.

“I mean, you can’t really even think about it anymore, there’s no time,” Kings center Domantas Sabonis said on Monday following Sacramento’s loss to Chicago. “We just got to lock in against the Lakers and get this win. It’s a big game for us in the standings.”

The Brow vs. The Ox

Domantas Sabonis has fared well against Anthony Davis during his NBA career.

Over eight career head-to-head matchups, Sabonis holds an 8-0 record against Davis, including a 3-0 record during his time in a Sacramento Kings uniform.

Over two matchups this season, Sabonis has averaged 20.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game on 66 percent shooting from the field. Davis hasn’t been a slouch by any means as the All-Star holds averages of 19.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks over two games against the Kings.

These two talented bigs will face off once again as Davis searches to snap his elongated losing streak against Sabonis.

Three-Point Problems

The 2023-24 Sacramento Kings have been hit-or-miss from beyond the arc this season.

Just look at Monday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls as an example of those inconsistencies, as Sacramento followed up a strong first half from deep (37%) by going four-for-18 (22%) during the final 24 minutes of play, including 0-for-six in the fourth quarter.

When the Kings are on from deep, they are very hard to beat–but when they aren’t it’s very rare to see them run away with a win.

Sacramento’s 3PT shooting splits tell the story of their season thus far:

• SAC when shooting ≥35% 3PT: 27-9
• SAC when shooting under 35% 3PT: 7-17

KEEGAN 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/TW2G1fjVpK

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 5, 2024

The Kings have benefited from a strong recent stretch from Keegan Murray, who is shooting 48 percent from three over his six games on 5.5 attempts per contest. While Murray has found a rhythm, Sacramento could do a better job of finding the second-year forward late in games.

During Monday’s loss to the Bulls, Murray only attempted one three-point field goal attempt after the halftime break. De’Aaron Fox’s return could have caused a difference in Murray’s involvement on offense, but look for the Kings to find the sharpshooter on Wednesday night.

As a team, Sacramento has fared well against the Lakers’ three-point defense, shooting 36 percent from downtown over two matchups this season.

Los Angeles has allowed opponents to shoot 37.3 percent from three-point land this season (20th in the NBA), including 38 percent over their past seven games. The Kings are looking to bounce back from a 29 percent showing against Chicago, meaning that we could see an increase in volume on Wednesday.

Kings vs. Lakers Injury Report

Sacramento

• Sasha Vezenkov – OUT (right ankle sprain)
• Colby Jones – OUT (G-League)
• Jalen Slawson – OUT (G-League)
• Jordan Ford – OUT (G-League)

Los Angeles

• Anthony Davis – PROBABLE (bilateral Achilles tendinopathy)
• Cam Reddish – PROBABLE (right ankle sprain)
• LeBron James – QUESTIONABLE (left ankle peroneal tendinopathy)
• Jarred Vanderbilt – OUT (right foot soreness)
• Christian Wood – OUT (left knee effusion)
• Gabe Vincent  – OUT (left knee surgery)
• Collin Castleton – OUT (right wrist fracture)

Upcoming Schedule

• Wednesday, March 6th – Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Lakers – 7:30 PM PST
• Thursday, March 7th – Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs – 7:00 PM PST
• Sunday, March 10th – Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets – 3:00 PM PST
• Tuesday, March 12th – Sacramento Kings vs. Milwaukee Bucks – 7:00 PM PST
• Wednesday, March 13th – Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers – 7:00 PM PST

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