Preview: Kings look to push win streak to four vs. shorthanded Heat

Feb 26, 2024, 8:07 AM | Updated: 1:34 pm

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 31: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket agai...

(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Fresh off of one of their more complete showings of the season, the Sacramento Kings will look to keep things rolling on Monday night when they face the Miami Heat at Golden 1 Center.

Sacramento (33-23) improved to a season-high-tying ten games over the .500 mark following Sunday’s 123-107 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in a matchup that saw De’Aaron Fox post his fourth-straight game with 28+ points and Domantas Sabonis rack up his league-leading 20th triple-double.

The Kings have followed up a rough stretch that featured four losses over a five-game stretch with three consecutive wins as they begin the final stretch of the regular season and eye a top-six spot in the Western Conference standings.

A fourth-straight win on Monday would help those odds, and Sacramento will have to face a Miami team that will be missing several members of its rotation due to injury and league suspension.

After facing the Heat, a tough two-game trip awaits as the Kings will face the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves–two of the top-three teams in the West–on their home floors before returning to Golden 1 Center for a home-heavy March schedule.

DOMAS DUNKS ALL OVER ZUBAC 🔨 pic.twitter.com/Yyw7crDo9w

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 26, 2024

Sacramento Kings vs. Miami Heat 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 -6.5, O/U 226.5

Tickets: Click here

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

Fox on the Run

De’Aaron Fox didn’t look like himself in January, but the All-NBA guard has turned the page as the season nears March.

After averaging 22.5 points and 4.5 assists per game on 43/32/73 shooting splits in January, Fox’s struggles continued through the first week of February. As play neared the All-Star break, a flip was switched, and Fox has reverted to his early-season self.

Fox has been on a tear over the past four games, averaging 32.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game while shooting 51 percent from the field. Sacramento posted a 3-1 record during those four games as they jumped from the eighth to fifth seed in the standings.

According to Stathead, Fox is the first Sacramento King to post 25+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in four consecutive games since Chris Webber did so in January 2002.

IT’S DE’AARON’S NIGHT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PF7yBlqcBB

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 26, 2024

The numbers are even more impressive when you take this NBA season into account. Aside from Fox, the only other player to post 25+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and 2+ steals in four-straight games? Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Fox, who displayed a rare show of emotion during Sunday’s win, further proved that a motivated version of himself is dangerous to opponents as the Clippers struggled to slow the speedy guard in crunch time. The 26-year-old was a force in the second half, scoring 17 of his 33 points during the final two quarters of play to help the Kings create separation.

Sacramento plays to the best of its potential when Fox is at his best. This four-game stretch proves just that.

Sabonis vs. Bam

The matchup to watch on Monday will be in the post as Domantas Sabonis and Bam Adebayo will face off for the final time this season.

Sabonis got the best of Adebayo on January 31st in South Beach, as the Kings center posted a triple-double (19 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists), although the Heat pulled out a 115-106 win.

It’s been a historic season for Sabonis, who became just the sixth player in NBA history to post 20 or more triple-doubles during a single season, joining Oscar Robertson (5x), Russell Westbrook (4x), Wilt Chamberlain, James Harden, and Nikola Jokic.

Domas 🤝 Malik pic.twitter.com/UJc187IF6v

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) February 26, 2024

With the Heat missing Jimmy Butler (suspension) and potentially having to play without one or both of Tyler Herro (knee) and Terry Rozier (knee), Adebayo could see more usage in the post as Miami searches for a hub on the offensive end.

Sabonis’ defense has been under a microscope this season, and he will have another test on Monday when he matches up against the Eastern Conference All-Star big man.

Notes

Miami will be without Jimmy Butler, Thomas Bryant, and Nikola Jovic as all three players were handed one-game suspensions for their role in a fight that took place on Friday night in New Orleans.
After starting the season 0-4 on the second night of back-to-backs, Sacramento has won the past four such games as they now hold a 4-4 record on 0 days rest.
With a win on Monday, the Kings would improve to a season-high 11 games over the .500 mark.
The Heat are seeking its first win at Golden 1 Center since February 18, 2021.