Preview: Kings begin crucial homestand with matchup vs. 76ers

If you aren’t feeling the heat of the playoff push, this week will likely change that.

The Sacramento Kings will begin their longest-remaining homestand on Monday night against the Philadelphia 76ers in a game that will act as the first of four crucial contests that will take place at Golden 1 Center over the next six days.

Sacramento (41-29) bounced back from a disappointing loss to the NBA-worst Washington Wizards with a big win over the dangerous Orlando Magic on Saturday, winning by a final of 109-107 to end a brief three-game road trip with a 2-1 record.

Keeping pace in the packed Western Conference standings is essential for the Kings, who enter play on Monday one half-game behind the sixth-seed Phoenix Suns with 12 games remaining in the regular season.

Philadelphia (39-32) has fallen on hard times without its MVP center Joel Embiid (left knee meniscus surgery), as they hold a 10-15 record since losing the big man to an injury back on January 30th.

While the 76ers are playing without its franchise centerpiece, they proved on Sunday that they can pose a problem for Sacramento by defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 121-107 behind 24-point outings from Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey.

The Kings have no shortage of big games to play this week, but snapping a ten-game head-to-head losing streak against Philadelphia would be an ideal way to start the homestand before focusing on two huge matchups against the Dallas Mavericks.

Sacramento Kings vs. Philadelphia 76ers Game Info

When: 7:00 PM PST

Where: Golden 1 Center  – Sacramento, CA

TV: NBC Sports California, NBA TV

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Coverage starts at 5:30 PM on Game Night

Line: Kings -9.5, O/U 222.5

Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. 76ers coverage, beginning at 5:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 7:00 PM PST tip-off from downtown Sacramento.

Sabonis Looks To Pass K-Love

With another double-double performance on Monday, Domantas Sabonis can accomplish another impressive milestone.

The three-time All-Star center is currently tied with Kevin Love for the longest double-double streak post NBA-ABA merger (1976-77) with 53 straight games. Sabonis has a chance to break Love’s mark in front of a packed house at Golden 1 Center and become the modern day record holder.

Sabonis continues to act as Sacramento’s offensive anchor, as the center not only leads his team in assists, but he has also handed out the most assists in the NBA since January 1st. The 27-year-old has already surpassed his assists total from last season (573), establishing a new season-high of 580–and counting.

Domantas Sabonis has tied Kevin Love for the longest double-double streak since the NBA-ABA merger (1976-77).

53 straight games for Sabonis, who ties Loves’ mark from the 2010-11 season. pic.twitter.com/QTTQedry0b

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) March 24, 2024

Of course, Sabonis continues to dominate the glass, leading the league in both rebounds (960) and rebounds per game (13.7).

As far as NBA history goes, Sabonis would become the seventh player to post a double-double streak of 54 or more games, joining Wilt Chamberlain (5x), Elvin Hayes (3x), Walt Bellamy, Elgin Baylor, Jerry Lucas, and Bill Russell–all members of the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Malik Bounces Back?

The Kings are at their best when Malik Monk is dialed in, but the Sixth Man of the Year frontrunner didn’t have it on Saturday.

Monk finished the win in Orlando without a single point after missing all eleven of his field goal attempts in what was the guard’s first game without a basket since October 10, 2022.

Following Saturday’s game, Monk took to social media to make light of his poor performance, and it’s fair to expect a bounce-back performance from the Kentucky product against the 76ers.

Prior to his rough outing against the magic, Monk held averages of 19.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists over his past ten games. Sacramento holds a record of 18-7 (.720) this season when Monk finishes a game with 20 or more points, meaning that if he can tap back into his offense, a win will likely follow for Sacramento.

The Defense Is… Good?

Since the start of last season, one of–if not the–biggest problems for the Kings has been their defense. As of late, Sacramento has looked like a different team on that end of the floor.

The Kings have jumped to 15th in defensive rating thanks to an impressive month of March that has seen this team lock in like never before on the defensive end. Over Sacramento’s past seven games, they hold the NBA’s best defensive rating (102.7) while also ranking second in steals per game (9.7).

Only one of the Kings’ past seven opponents has scored more than 110 points–the Memphis Grizzlies, who scored 111 points during a ten-point loss in Sacramento.

During their first 63 games, the Kings had allowed opponents to score 110+ points 47 times.

Keon Ellis is a VERY skilled defender…

Some of the best ball-denial & cutter interruption tape in the NBA. Excellent timing as a helper. Dances around screens chasing shooters & quick disruptive hands on-ball. He’s also shooting 43.2% on 3.1 3PA/g post-All-Star.

3&D Guard 🔒🔒 pic.twitter.com/qTrc7l0iMz

— NBA University (@NBA_University) March 25, 2024

Sacramento has matched the defensive output of fellow defense-heavy teams they have faced in recent weeks like the Magic, Grizzlies, and New York Knicks. Monday will act as the Kings’ next test as they will matchup against a 76ers team that enters play with the NBA’s 12th-best defense.

Notes

• Sacramento has lost 10-straight games to the 76ers, with their most-recent win coming back on February 2, 2019.

Kings vs. 76ers Injury Report

Sacramento

• Sasha Vezenkov – QUESTIONABLE (right ankle sprain)
• Kevin Huerter – OUT (left shoulder dislocation, labral tear)
• Trey Lyles – OUT (left knee MCL sprain)
• Jordan Ford – OUT (G-League)
• Mason Jones – OUT (G-League)

Philadelphia

Upcoming Schedule

• Monday, March 25th – Sacramento Kings vs. Philadelphia 76ers – 7:00 PM PST
• Tuesday, March 26th – Sacramento Kings vs. Dallas Mavericks – 7:00 PM PST
• Friday, March 29th – Sacramento Kings vs. Dallas Mavericks – 7:00 PM PST
• Sunday, March 31st – Sacramento Kings vs. Utah Jazz – 6:00 PM PST
• Tuesday, April 2nd – Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 7:00 PM PST

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