Game 27 Thread - Kings (14-12) @ Raptors (13-14)

[codydaze]

After two bad losses, Kings look to get back on track against a Raptors squad going through some recent struggles.

Things I'm looking for tonight:
1. Rain dance? The Kings have been in a serious drought recently, shooting just 31% from deep over the last five games which is being boosted by a 16/33 (48%) night against the Cavs. While this roster is deep with a number of guys who can go off on any given night, it seems the whole team has gone cold at the same time. We need shots to fall tonight to allow our defense to get set up on the other end and limit transition opportunities for a Raptors team that likes to get out in transition and is effective when they do (T-5th in Transition Frequency and 4th in Transition Scoring Frequency).

2. Paging Starfox. This has not been a December to remember for De'Aaron thus far, he has not scored 20 points since the day after Thanksgiving. While reportedly playing with some pain in his foot since the Orlando game, he had three 30 point efforts after that game but has been having his all star buzz fading out in recent action. I saw it put this way on reddit, I think (credit to whoever said it), but while Sabonis is the engine of this team, Fox is the driver. We will only go as far as he takes us and we need him to snap back into early season form.

3. Spiderman meme game. Kings are coming off the two worst losses of the season and Toronto is coming off back to back losses against the young, Wembanyama hopeful, Orlando Magic. These are two teams that are looking to get things right and should be motivated to get back in the W column. Kings, however, are on the second night of a back to back while the Raptors are coming off two days rest. It doesn't sound like a recipe for success but we're going to need to see some mental toughness and fight from this Kings team to right the ship.

[codydaze]

Also, it seems we are undefeated in the games where I opened the game thread so I will stay on top of it the rest of the year

[Silver Man]

Challenges just never seem to go our way.

[LightTheBeam]

The first quarter was everything we've been doing to lose the last 2 games. Shooting too many bad 3s, not moving on defense, and not driving inside to draw fouls and get easy buckets.

This team was fortunate with the hot start from downtown this season and needs to learn to win when it's not falling.

Win or lose nice adjustment in that 2nd quarter. Need to see more of that. Glad to see Fox looking like his usual self. That rest did him good, hopefully the rust is off now

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[BoogieTime]

this vanvleet fool is not playing against us how he plays against everyone else. every night its someone.

[LightTheBeam]

I predicted Mike brown would have got ejected yesterday after that first 6 minutes. He bottled up the anger and today set him over the top

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[Silver Man]

I predicted Mike brown would have got ejected yesterday after that first 6 minutes. He bottled up the anger and today set him over the top

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Yeah hard to blame him with yesterday and today's reffing. Hasn't been pretty.

[LightTheBeam]

FVV getting Luka calls tonight. Truly incredible

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[BoogieTime]

this vanvleet fool who has sucked for I dont know how long is singe handedly going to win this game for the raptors

[sackings916]

Holmes wasn’t this bad defensively these last few seasons I don’t think? He’s always been undersized, but now defending in space he just looks lost.

[LightTheBeam]

With halfway decent refs we are up 15 easily

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[LightTheBeam]

Holmes wasn’t this bad defensively these last few seasons I don’t think? He’s always been undersized, but now defending in space he just looks lost.

Ya I think it's just chalked up to lack of reps. He's rusty and out of sync.

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[sackings916]

Holmes wasn’t this bad defensively these last few seasons I don’t think? He’s always been undersized, but now defending in space he just looks lost.

Ya I think it's just chalked up to lack of reps. He's rusty and out of sync.

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You could be right, but honestly before he lost his spot in the rotation earlier in the year it was the same thing.

[Silver Man]

Don't get me wrong there's worse out there for teams but Kayte complaining on every possession about fouls is too much.

[LightTheBeam]

Don't get me wrong there's worse out there for teams but Kayte complaining on every possession about fouls is too much.

I'm not a Kaytee fan, but tonight has been disgusting. I think they've missed at minimum 5 offensive fouls on the raptors. And not given fox/sabonis at least that many.

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[codydaze]

Apparently drawing blood is not enough for Fox to get a call.

[Silver Man]

Don't get me wrong there's worse out there for teams but Kayte complaining on every possession about fouls is too much.

I'm not a Kaytee fan, but tonight has been disgusting. I think they've missed at minimum 5 offensive fouls on the raptors. And not given fox/sabonis at least that many.

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Agreed, tonight she definitely has a gripe but it just reminded to say what I was thinking a few games back.

[codydaze]

Survived a missed three from FVV after an egregious push off missed call there. Just awful officiating.

[BoogieTime]

we are clutch. almost expect to win close games so far

[LightTheBeam]

Absolutely pathetic display by raptors and refs. The last play was such a damn joke they even got to shoot that. We win by 20 with any half decent refs

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