SACRAMENTO KINGS

Preview: Kings hope to finish six-game road trip on high note

Dec 16, 2022, 7:00 AM | Updated: 7:54 am

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 20: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball aga...

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Sacramento Kings (15-12) will look to put the finishing touches on a six-game road trip when they face the Detroit Pistons (8-22) on Friday night at Little Caesars Arena.

Sacramento snapped a two-game skid on Wednesday night when they pulled out a narrow 124-123 win over the Toronto Raptors to improve to 2-3 on the East Coast road trip, giving themselves a chance to return home having posted a .500 record during their time away.

Following Friday’s game in Detroit, the Kings will open up a six-game home stand that will take them through the remainder of the calendar year.

Here’s everything that you need to know for Sacramento’s matchup against the Pistons:

Sacramento Kings vs. Detroit Pistons Game Info

When: 4:00 PM PST

Where: Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI

TV: NBC Sports California

Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Pregame coverage starts at 2:30 PM PST on Game Night

Line: Kings -5.5, O/U: 238

What To Watch For

Attack, Attack, Attack

After scoring 124 points during Wednesday’s win–the most points that Sacramento has scored since December 3rd–the Kings should look to hammer Detroit’s weak defense.

The Pistons enter play on Friday, allowing 117.6 points per game this season (29th in the NBA), including an average of 120 points per game since November 29th.

Sacramento pushed its offense out of a funk during a 124-123 win over Toronto, as they shot 48 percent from the field and 37 percent from beyond the arc. The Kings will face a Detroit defense that surrenders 54.6 points in the paint (29th in the NBA), meaning Domantas Sabonis should get a heavy dose of post-up opportunities.

This six-game road trip is ending, and the Kings are in position to return home having posted a 3-3 record during their time away. Friday’s game shouldn’t be taken lightly, even if the Pistons own the second-worst record in the league.

The last time these two teams met on November 20th, it took a late push from Sacramento to pull out a 135-127 win. Good teams handle games like these, especially after the Kings just spend most of this six-game road trip facing top-10 defenses (Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Toronto).

It’s time to see if the Kings are up for the challenge, with that challenge being a stress-free win over a lesser opponent.

Hello, Old Friend

Friday’s game will feature Sacramento’s second meeting with former second-overall pick Marvin Bagley III since the team dealt the forward to Detroit during February’s deadline.

During November 20th’s matchup at Golden 1 Center, Bagley scored 15 points (five-of-nine shooting from the field) and grabbed six rebounds over 20 minutes that included lots of boos from fans in attendance.

Bagley has started in 13 of his 17 games this season, but the 22-year-old has recently been moved back into a bench role. The Duke product is averaging 11.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shooting 54 percent from the field and 31 percent from three-point land.

Nobody likes seeing revenge games, so let’s hope that Sacramento avoids letting the fifth-year big man get into a rhythm on Friday.

Recent History

  • Sacramento owns a 3-2 record vs. Detroit since the beginning of the 2020-21 season

Injury Report

Sacramento

  • Kevin Huerter – QUESTIONABLE (left ankle soreness)
  • Alex Len – OUT (not with team)
  • Chima Moneke is on a G-League assignment with the Stockton Kings.

Detroit

  • Cade Cunningham – OUT (right tibia stress fracture)
  • Isaiah Livers – OUT (right shoulder sprain)

Postgame Show

Check out our Sactown Sports Kings Recap Show on the Sactown Sports 1140 YouTube channel!

Sactown Sports Kings Recap Shows will be happening all season long, immediately following each Kings game!

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Schedule

Friday, December 16th – Sacramento Kings @ Detroit Pistons – 4:00 PM PST

Monday, December 19th – Sacramento Kings vs Charlotte Hornets – 7:00 PM PST

Wednesday, December 21st – Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Lakers – 7:00 PM PST

Friday, December 23rd – Sacramento Kings vs Washington Wizards – 7:00 PM PST

Tuesday, December 27th – Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets – 7:00 PM PST

Wednesday, December 28th – Sacramento Kings vs Denver Nuggets – 7:00 PM PST

Newsletter

Sacramento Kings

Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks is guarded by Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings ...

Brenden Nunes

Western Conference Standings Update: Kings fall back to play-in after loss to Dallas

The Sacramento Kings Tuesday night loss to the Dallas Mavericks was costly in the Western Conference standings race.

13 hours ago

Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks is guarded by Chris Duarte #3 of the Sacramento Kings in t...

Joseph Jarosz

Kayte Christensen on if fatigue factored into the Kings loss to Dallas

Kayte Christensen joined Sactown Sports to talk about the Sacramento Kings 132-96 loss to the Dallas Mavericks Tuesday night. 

17 hours ago

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots over Keegan Murra...

Frankie Cartoscelli

Luka, Mavericks dominate Kings to climb West standings

Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks secured a crucial win on Tuesday to leapfrog the Sacramento Kings in the Western Conference standings.

1 day ago

Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings smiles after he set the new NBA record (since ABA merg...

Amiliano Fragoso

TNT Broadcaster says Domantas Sabonis should be getting more attention

TNT Broadcaster Michael Grady joined The Drive Guys Tuesday to talk about the Kings-Mavericks clashes and Domantas Sabonis.

1 day ago

Kyle Lowry #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers is guarded by Keon Ellis #23 of the Sacramento Kings in the...

Brenden Nunes

The Sacramento Kings ‘Latest Formula’ for Success: Defense and Possessions

The Sacramento Kings have looked like a different team over the last eight games. Embracing their newly altered formula has led to success.

1 day ago

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 25: Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings reacts after the Ki...

Frankie Cartoscelli

Domantas Sabonis on fan reaction to record: ‘It’s why I love playing here.’

Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis spoke about how much his double-double record means to him, his family & more.

2 days ago

Preview: Kings hope to finish six-game road trip on high note