Shorthanded Kings Look To Slow LeBron, Lakers
Nov 15, 2019, 8:30 AM | Updated: 9:17 am
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Sacramento has won four of their last five games to improve to 4-6 on the season
Losing five straight games is not an ideal way to start a season.
The Sacramento Kings started their 2019-20 season with an 0-5 record–their worst start since the 1990-91. Second-year forward Marvin Bagley III went down with a broken thumb after the team’s first game, while budding star guard De’Aaron Fox fell victim to the injury bug eight games later with a severe ankle sprain.
Nonetheless, the Kings have been winning games.
Bogdan Bogdanovic had a career night on Tuesday to lead Sacramento over the Porland Trail Blazers by a final of 107-99, securing their fourth win over the last five contests.
The 27 year-old finished with 25 points, 10 assists and four steals–all season-highs–to propel the Kings to a big win. Over his last three games, Bogdanovic is averaging 22.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 50-percent from the field and 56-percent from beyond the three-point arc.
With Fox out for the foreseeable future, Bogdanovic will get his most expanded role since coming to the NBA. Paired with Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes and Nemanja Bjelica in crunch time, the Kings will have a lineup that can beat you with the three-ball.
Richaun Holmes had another strong showing on Tuesday night, finishing with 11 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots. It was Holmes’ third double-double of the season, as he is now two shy of tying his career-high of five double-double’s posted during the 2016-17 and 2018-19 season’s.
The fifth-year big is averaging 10.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting an incredible 65-percent from the field–all career-high totals.
While Sacramento has turned things around and salvaged a poor start, they’ll face their greatest test of this young season when they travel to Los Angeles to lace up against the surging Los Angeles Lakers.
Superstar LeBron James and newcomer Anthony Davis have led the Lakers to a 9-2 start through 11 games–their best start since the 2010-11 season.
Davis is probable for Friday night’s game with bruised ribs after missing Wednesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors. So far this season, the 26 year-old holds season averages of 26.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
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- Since the 2008-09 season, Sacramento is 6-15 when facing the Lakers at Staples Center.
- In eight career games against the Lakers, Bogdan Bogdanovic holds averages of: 17.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
- Over 28 career games against the Kings, LeBron James holds averages of: 26.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game.
