Preview: Kings seek fifth-straight win, while Heat hope to end skid
Jan 31, 2024, 9:16 AM
(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Two teams on different ends of streaks will face off on Wednesday night in South Beach, Florida.
On the heels of a four-game losing skid, the Sacramento Kings (27-18) have won four straight games as they enter play a season-best nine games over the .500 mark.
Things have not been as fun for the Miami Heat (24-23), who hope to end a seven-game losing streak when they face the Kings on their home floor–a place that Sacramento has not won in nearly six years.
For the Kings, who have started a seven-game road trip with three straight wins, it’s fair to expect this matchup against the Heat to be their biggest test yet during this two-week excursion.
Miami is still finding a rhythm after recently acquiring veteran point guard Terry Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets, and it’s only a matter of time before they jump back into the win column.
Let’s see if Sacramento can hold off a hungry Heat team and improve to 4-0 on this road trip.
Kings record through 45 games last season: 26-19
Kings record through 45 games this season: 27-18
Somehow, Sacramento is in a better spot at this point in the season than they were last year.
— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) January 30, 2024
Sacramento Kings vs. Miami Heat Game Info
When: 4:30 PM PST
Where: Kaseya Center – Miami, FL
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Coverage starts at 3:00 PM on Game Night
Line: Heat -1.5, O/U 226.5
Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Heat coverage, beginning at 3:00 PM PST on Game Night before a 4:30 PM PST tip-off from South Beach.
The Matchup In The Middle
Domantas Sabonis has been on a historic run over the past month-plus, and the All-NBA center will look to keep it going against Heat All-Star center Bam Adebayo.
Sabonis has racked up 28 straight double-doubles, with Monday’s career-high 26-rebound effort being the latest, as the big man continues to make things happen on a nightly basis.
While the All-Star chatter surrounding Sabonis continues to grow, he will have his hands full with Adebayo, who has averaged 20.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game this season.
Over two matchups last season, Sabonis fared well against Adebayo (20.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists), while Miami’s talented big man nearly matched Sabonis’ output (21.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists).
De’Aaron Fox and Terry Rozier might provide some firepower on the offensive end out of the guard spots, but keep an eye on the post as two All-Star bigs go head-to-head once again.
The Kings have needed more out of Kevin Huerter, and he’s turned things around following a rough stretch.
Huerter over the past 7 games:
17.4 PTS
5.0 REB
3.4 AST
1.3 STL
56% FG
48% 3PT (8.0 attempts per game)
32.8 MIN pic.twitter.com/ItVxxugkGL— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) January 30, 2024
The Return of Red Velvet
During Sacramento’s recent four-game losing streak, it was clear that the Kings needed more out of two starters: Harrison Barnes and Kevin Huerter.
Barnes, who has been more of a focal point on offense, is averaging 25.8 points over the past four games while holding 50/46/94 shooting splits.
Sacramento has also benefited from getting Huerter back into a rhythm as the sharpshooter holds averages of 17.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game on 56 percent shooting from the field and 48 percent from deep (8.0 attempts per game).
Following a slow start to the season, Huerter is knocking down triples confidently while also providing the Kings with a boost on the boards. Huerter’s 3.8 rebounds per game average is the second-highest of his NBA career (4.1 in 2019-20).
Huerter gives Sacramento the lead ‼️ pic.twitter.com/PfW0qvQLJN
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) January 30, 2024
With Huerter and Barnes producing, Sacramento’s offense has reverted to its 2022-23 form.
Over the past seven games, the Kings have averaged 122.7 points on 51 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent from three-point range.
For a team like the Heat that has allowed opponents to shoot 37.1 percent from deep this season, they might find themselves in a tough spot if Huerter and the rest of Sacramento’s offense are dialed in on Wednesday night.
House of Horrors
The Sacramento Kings have not fared well against the Heat in Miami since these two teams first met back in 1988.
Sacramento holds an all-time record of 5-30 in Miami, and they haven’t beaten the Heat on their home floor since October 29, 2018 (four-straight losses).
Kings vs. Heat Injury Report
Sacramento
- Sasha Vezenkov – QUESTIONABLE (right ankle sprain)
- Jordan Ford – OUT (G-League)
- Jalen Slawson – OUT (G-League)
Miami
- Duncan Robinson – OUT (concussion protocol)
- Dru Smith – OUT (right knee surgery)
- RJ Hampton – OUT (G-League)
- Orlando Robinson – OUT (G-League)
- Cole Swider – QUESTIONABLE (G-League)
Upcoming Schedule
- Wednesday, January 31st – Sacramento Kings @ Miami Heat – 4:30 PM PST
- Friday, February 2nd – Sacramento Kings @ Indiana Pacers – 4:30 PM PST
- Saturday, February 3rd – Sacramento Kings @ Chicago Bulls – 5:00 PM PST
- Monday, February 5th – Sacramento Kings @ Cleveland Cavaliers – 4:00 PM PST
- Wednesday, February 7th – Sacramento Kings vs. Detroit Pistons – 7:00 PM PST
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