Preview: Kings seek first home win over Raptors since 2016
Jan 5, 2024, 9:51 AM
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Following one of the most nail-biting wins you’ll see in a basketball game, the Sacramento Kings will be back in action on Friday night as they continue their homestand against the Toronto Raptors.
Sacramento (20-13) squeaked out a 138-135 win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday in a game that went to double-overtime. Thanks to heroics from Malik Monk (37 points) and Keegan Murray (28 points), the Kings avoided an 0-2 start to the four-game homestand that is set to conclude on Sunday afternoon.
Toronto (14-20) enters play with a fresh identity after trading two-way forward OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks in return for forward RJ Barrett and guard Immanuel Quickley last week.
Since making the move to reshape their roster, the Raptors have won consecutive games (Cleveland and Memphis) as they will enter play on Friday eying a third-straight victory.
It’s been a while since Sacramento enjoyed a win over Toronto on their home floor, as the Kings are looking to snap a six-game losing streak to the Raptors on their home floor. The Kings’ last win over Toronto at Golden 1 Center occurred on November 20, 2016.
If one thing is clear, it’s that Sacramento is due. Will tonight be the night they beat the Raptors at home for the first time in nearly eight years?
Sacramento Kings vs. Toronto Raptors Game Info
When: 7:00 PM PST
Where: Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM – Coverage starts at 5:30 PM on Game Night
Line: Kings -5.5, O/U 237.5
Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Raptors coverage, beginning at 5:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 7:00 PM PST tip-off from downtown Sacramento.
Tickets: Click here
Scouting Report, Schmouting Report?
Heading into Wednesday’s game against Orlando, the numbers told us that the Magic would pose a more significant threat in the paint than outside the three-point line.
The Magic are ranked last in three-point makes, 29th in three-point field goal attempts, and 29th in three-point field goal percentage, while they sat in second place for points in the paint per game.
Naturally, Orlando set a franchise record for made three-pointers during a single game while lighting up Sacramento’s defense for 25-of-44 (57%) from downtown.
On Friday, the Kings will face a Raptors team with similar tendencies.
Toronto is ranked 26th in made three-point field goals, 26th in three-point field goal percentage (35%), and 20th in attempts per game (32.9).
In a similar fashion to the Magic, the Raptors also rank among the NBA’s leaders in paint scoring (sixth), two-point field goal attempts (fourth), and made two-point field goals (fifth).
If we learned anything from Kings vs. Magic, it’s that numbers can sometimes be deceiving.
This isn’t the same Raptors team, as Barrett and Quickley have provided Toronto with two respectable–and in Quickley’s case, a dangerous–presence from three-point land.
During the two games that have featured its newest talents, Toronto is shooting 41 percent from deep on 28 attempts per game. While the volume doesn’t jump off the page, the efficiency is up with Barrett, Quickley, and Scottie Barnes lurking on the perimeter.
Numbers can be deceiving, and in this case, Sacramento shouldn’t overlook the Raptors’ new-look roster that includes two more three-point options–especially after what transpired against Orlando.
The Rare Bounce-Back For Fox
It’s not often that Kings fans have to hope for a bounce-back performance out of De’Aaron Fox, but the All-Star guard will look to get back on track after struggling against the Magic on Wednesday.
Fox finished with 15 points on six-of-22 shooting from the field and missed all five of his attempts from three-point range, marking the first time that the guard hasn’t knocked down a triple this season (27 games).
While Fox struggled to provide his usual boost on the offensive end for the majority of Wednesday night’s win, he was crucial during the second overtime, leading the Kings with five points during the five-minute period to help close things out.
De’Aaron Fox coming up big in double OT 🦊 pic.twitter.com/r0HfQswT4i
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 4, 2024
The fact that Sacramento was able to pull out a close win while their 30-point per game scorer in Fox struggled was a strong sign for a team that needs more out of its supporting cast. Fox can’t always put the offense on his back, and help from players like Monk, Murray, and Harrison Barnes came at the right time.
Expect Fox to be on the attack early and often against the Raptors defense.
Notes
- Domantas Sabonis has been an absolute force for Sacramento over the past month (15 games): 20.8 points, 14.1 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 60% FG. The All-Star has posted a double-double in 16-straight games.
- The Kings can improve to eight games over .500 with a win over Toronto. Last season, Sacramento didn’t improve to eight games over .500 until January 20th (26-18).
Kings vs. Raptors Injury Report
Sacramento
- Jordan Ford – OUT (G-League)
- Jalen Slawson – OUT (G-League)
- Colby Jones – OUT (G-League)
Toronto
- Otto Porter Jr. – DOUBTFUL (right knee sprain)
- Christian Koloko – OUT (illness)
- Markquis Nowell – OUT (G-League)
- Javon Freeman-Liberty – OUT (G-League)
- Gradey Dick – OUT (G-League)
Upcoming Schedule
- Friday, January 5th – Sacramento Kings vs. Toronto Raptors – 7:00 PM PST
- Sunday, January 7th – Sacramento Kings vs. New Orleans Pelicans – 3:00 PM PST
- Tuesday, January 9th – Sacramento Kings @ Detroit Pistons – 4:00 PM PST
- Wednesday, January 10th – Sacramento Kings @ Charlotte Hornets – 4:00 PM PST
- Friday, January 12th – Sacramento Kings @ Philadelphia 76ers – 4:30 PM PST
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