Preview: Kings look to end skid in roadtrip finale vs. Suns
Jan 16, 2024, 9:28 AM
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Sacramento Kings will hope to clean their hands of Sunday’s heartbreaking loss in Milwaukee when they finish a five-game road trip in Phoenix on Tuesday night.
While the Kings (23-16) were one stop–or quite possibly one made free-throw–away from stealing a win from the Bucks in overtime, Sacramento will look to avoid a three-game losing streak when they face the Phoenix Suns (21-18) at full-strength for the first time this season.
During the Kings’ first two meetings with the Suns (both winning efforts), Phoenix didn’t have its new ‘Big 3′ together as Bradley Beal dealt with a lower-back issue.
Kevin Durant and Devin Booker were active during the Suns’ most recent meeting with Sacramento on December 22nd, combining for 52 points during a 120-105 Kings win at Golden 1 Center.
Sacramento has held the upper hand during the first two matchups, but this is a different Phoenix team with Beal in the fold. The Suns hold a 7-3 record since December 26th as they now sit just two games behind the Kings in the Western Conference standings.
How will Sacramento handle this new and improved Phoenix team that appears to be making its move back into postseason contention?
Sacramento Kings vs. Phoenix Suns Game Info
When: 6:00 PM PST
Where: Footprint Center – Phoenix, AZ
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Coverage starts at 4:30 PM on Game Night
Line: Suns -4.5, O/U 236.5
Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Suns coverage, beginning at 4:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 6:00 PM PST tip-off from downtown Phoenix.
Pay Attention To The 3
Phoenix’s numbers are deceiving.
While the Suns will enter play ranked 25th in made three-point field goals and 26th in three-point field goal attempts, their 37 percent conversion rate is 11th in the NBA.
Over the past ten games, Phoenix has shot just under 40 percent from deep on 31.4 attempts per contest. Beal has been a force for the Suns since returning from a back injury as the guard is shooting 42 percent from deep over the past nine games.
With Beal locked in from deep, Devin Booker searching for a third-straight 30+ point game, and Durant entering play shooting 47 percent from three (second in the NBA), Sacramento will have its hands full on Tuesday.
DE’AARON’S CLUTCH BUCKET FORCES OT 🥶 pic.twitter.com/pWlqBDk2B8
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) January 15, 2024
Fox On The Attack
De’Aaron Fox posted his first 30+ point game since January 2nd during Sunday’s loss as the reigning Clutch Player of the Year looked like his usual self down the final stretch of regulation and overtime.
Following a six-game stretch that saw the All-Star average 18.0 points on 40 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent from downtown, Fox racked up 32 points on 12-of-26 shooting while grabbing three steals and dishing out five assists.
On Tuesday, Fox will match up against a Suns team that he has averaged 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game while shooting 46 percent from three-point range during two meetings this season.
Sacramento is at its best when Fox is on the attack, and if Keegan Murray (hip) cannot suit up, it will put more emphasis on the speedy guard to find his offense early and often.
The Kings hold a 12-7 record when Fox scores 28+ points this season.
Notes
- Domantas Sabonis is looking to tie a career-long with his 23rd-straight double-double
- Sacramento is looking to win its fifth-straigth game vs. Phoenix. That would be the longest head-to-head winnings streak for the Kings since beating the Suns in five consecutive games from 2001-2002.
Kings vs. Suns Injury Report
Sacramento
- Keegan Murray – QUESTIONABLE (right hip irritation)
- Jordan Ford – OUT (G-League)
- Colby Jones – OUT (G-League)
- Jalen Slawson – OUT (G-League)
Phoenix
- Bol Bol – OUT (right foot sprain)
- Damion Lee – OUT (right meniscus surgery)
Upcoming Schedule
- Tuesday, January 16th – Sacramento Kings @ Phoenix Suns – 6:00 PM PST
- Thursday, January 18th – Sacramento Kings vs. Indiana Pacers – 7:00 PM PST
- Monday, January 22nd – Sacramento Kings vs. Atlanta Hawks – 7:00 PM PST
- Thursday, January 25th – Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PST
- Saturday, January 27th – Sacramento Kings @ Dallas Mavericks – 6:00 PM PST
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