Game 32 Thread - Kings (17-14) vs Nuggets (21-11)

Post #1 » by **codydaze** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 1:24 am

Kings look to bounce back in the first half of a back-to-back against the top team in the West.

Things I'm looking for tonight:
1. New look, no problem? Domas is officially out tonight with the injury to his thumb and leaves this team with a massive hole in the middle. What should have been a fun matchup of the Joker vs the Joker-lite will have to wait while we figure out how we will make up for the production and presence that Sabonis brings. Going small against Jokic shouldn't really be an option so it will be interesting to see what direction we go, we could see a lot of Len and Queta tonight. Fox is going to need to buckle down and put this team on his back.

2. Weather the storm. At three games above .500, we are still in the hunt for a playoff spot among the top 6 teams in the West. With Sabo possibly missing up to 6 weeks we are going to need to show some resilience and fight to keep our spot in a deep and dangerous conference. We all knew one injury could change the course of the season and, well, it's here. Time to see what these guys are truly made of.

3. No easy looks. Denver enters this game as one of the best three point shooting teams in the league, getting tons of open looks from the playmaking of Jokic and shot creation of Jamal Murray. We need to protect the line and make them earn everything inside. While it's possible we are at a size disadvantage as well, it will be extremely important to limit second chance opportunities which could mean wide open looks from deep off of offensive rebounds. We need to secure defensive rebounds and then get out into the open floor.

Post #2 » by **codydaze** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 1:24 am

Mike Brown is also out today in health and safety protocols so Jordi Fernandez gets his first full game as acting head coach.

Lost in LA · Post #3 » by **Lost in LA** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 1:57 am

One wonders why Sabonis was still on the floor when the Kings were down almost by 20 with 3 minutes left..

OxAndFox · Post #4 » by **OxAndFox** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 2:14 am

This is a great opportunity for the Kings.

A lot of us were saying the same thing before the season. It's an important one for Fox, obviously. Well, he started out like an AS guard and dropped off with an injury. Now the team needs him to carry them (somewhat).

Sabonis missing is what it is. Denver doesn't have a backup 5 either so if it is Len that is out there for Joker hopefully they match his minutes with Len/Queta/Holmes and Barnes/Lyles play the 5 the rest of the minutes.
Jokic is coming off 44 minutes against the Suns and Nnaji was the only big off the bench with 8 minutes (he literally had 3PFs and that is it). The Kings can match Gordon with Barnes/Lyles and Murray will take MPJ and/or NNaji.

LightTheBeam · Post #5 » by **LightTheBeam** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 3:17 am

I get starting Len vs Jokic, he's probably the biggest one we have. But If this injury keeps Sabonis out for 5-6 games, I'd like to see Holmes start and get extended minutes. Maybe it will get him back in rhythm and showcase for other teams.

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Post #6 » by **codydaze** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 3:34 am

RipPizzaGuy wrote:I get starting Len vs Jokic, he's probably the biggest one we have. But If this injury keeps Sabonis out for 5-6 games, I'd like to see Holmes start and get extended minutes. Maybe it will get him back in rhythm and showcase for other teams.

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Yeah, I imagine the starting 5 spot will be situational if Sabonis sits for an extended time.

BoogieTime · Post #7 » by **BoogieTime** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 3:35 am

good team ball. going to need the nuggets to also not bring it, and so far they aren't

Post #8 » by **codydaze** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 3:36 am

Great energy to start the game. Good to see us finally get some separation early, now we just need to keep it going. Denver is a team that can erase a lead quick though so gotta keep our foot on the gas.

Lost in LA · Post #9 » by **Lost in LA** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 4:21 am

Winning the foul count again, 11 to 6....

LightTheBeam · Post #10 » by **LightTheBeam** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 4:36 am

Death, taxes, the opposing teams forward going off against sacramento.

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Post #11 » by **City of Trees** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 4:36 am

Ref whistles are starting to slow the game down in the 3rd. Not good.

BoogieTime · Post #12 » by **BoogieTime** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 4:48 am

this is going to take a hell of an effort in this 4th quarter

Post #13 » by **codydaze** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 4:48 am

Monk 0/5 from deep. Would be nice if he could explode in the fourth, otherwise he should be sitting cause he's not giving us a whole lot otherwise.

BoogieTime · Post #14 » by **BoogieTime** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 4:48 am

no turnovers, good defense, and lets give ourselves a chance to win with smart team ball

BoogieTime · Post #15 » by **BoogieTime** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 4:49 am

codydaze wrote:Monk 0/5 from deep. Would be nice if he could explode in the fourth, otherwise he should be sitting cause he's not giving us a whole lot otherwise.

have we gone from questioning if he's 6th man to questioning his contract? his season has been weird. don't know if hes had consistency like this across his career

Post #16 » by **codydaze** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 4:59 am

BoogieTime wrote:
codydaze wrote:Monk 0/5 from deep. Would be nice if he could explode in the fourth, otherwise he should be sitting cause he's not giving us a whole lot otherwise.

have we gone from questioning if he's 6th man to questioning his contract? his season has been weird. don't know if hes had consistency like this across his career

I don't think he has a contract that you can even question, it's a cheap deal. He's just been in a slump recently that we need him to break out of. It will come.

Post #17 » by **codydaze** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 5:14 am

We desperately need a wing defender with some size.

BoogieTime · Post #18 » by **BoogieTime** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 5:18 am

its annoying but we competed... and I hate porter jr... if we play like this we might be able to stay afloat without Domas, but hopefully he isnt out long

Post #19 » by **City of Trees** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 5:19 am

these refs are trash. Its so frustrating

LightTheBeam · Post #20 » by **LightTheBeam** » Wed Dec 28, 2022 5:22 am

Bad refs + Denver hitting some timely 3s. Gonna need more from Monk, Barnes and Murray while Sabonis is out.

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