Game 60: Kings (31-28) @ Mavericks (32-29)

Post #1 » by **codydaze** » Mon Mar 3, 2025 10:35 pm

Staying in Texas, Kings head to Dallas to take on a Mavericks squad in a game that could have some pretty big playoff implications. We already own the tiebreaker over Dallas, if it comes to that, since we've already clinched the season series but we are still directly competing with Dallas for seeding so a win is very important tonight. Dallas will once again be without all of their bigs outside of Kai Jones, who is on a 10 day, but we will be without Domas as well. Having Valanciunas helps a ton so hopefully we can exploit their lack of size and punish them in the paint.

OxAndFox · Post #2 » by **OxAndFox** » Tue Mar 4, 2025 1:38 am

It's a must win.
Needs to start on the defensive end. The offense will come.

BoogieTime · Post #3 » by **BoogieTime** » Tue Mar 4, 2025 1:47 am

there was nothing to challenge there Malik

OxAndFox · Post #4 » by **OxAndFox** » Tue Mar 4, 2025 1:49 am

What a poor challenge. Clearly got him on the left arm/wrist.

Post #5 » by **codydaze** » Tue Mar 4, 2025 1:50 am

I hate challenging calls that early, especially one without imminent possession. Even if you win, you could still lose the jump ball. One foul this early is not that important.

OxAndFox · Post #6 » by **OxAndFox** » Tue Mar 4, 2025 1:54 am

codydaze wrote:I hate challenging calls that early, especially one without imminent possession. Even if you win, you could still lose the jump ball. One foul this early is not that important.

Apart from it just being a terrible challenge that is a great point about possession.

OxAndFox · Post #7 » by **OxAndFox** » Tue Mar 4, 2025 1:58 am

That is just a BS foul call on Keon. He gets crucified by the refs almost every game it feels like.

BoogieTime · Post #8 » by **BoogieTime** » Tue Mar 4, 2025 1:58 am

Keegan been solid on O lately

Post #9 » by **codydaze** » Tue Mar 4, 2025 1:59 am

Keep feeding Keegan.

Post #10 » by **codydaze** » Tue Mar 4, 2025 2:03 am

Ouch, that looked like a painful hyperextension for Kyrie.

OxAndFox · Post #11 » by **OxAndFox** » Tue Mar 4, 2025 2:11 am

Keep the straight line drives to a minimum and it would help. Can't keep giving 4-5 per quarter.

Kai Jones gave them a nice boost there though. Impressive energy.

OxAndFox · Post #12 » by **OxAndFox** » Tue Mar 4, 2025 2:23 am

Lavine is getting to wherever he wants and the Mavs have nothing at the rim. He may just get 40 again tonight.

OxAndFox · Post #13 » by **OxAndFox** » Tue Mar 4, 2025 2:58 am

Decent time for JV to play poorly.

BoogieTime · Post #14 » by **BoogieTime** » Tue Mar 4, 2025 3:16 am

Lavine just a steady player. No guesswork on his contribution on a nightly basis (once settled), and his efficiency will be it

Ofcourse, a big thing in his career is health though.. I don't believe any of the prior injuries are deemed recurrent

Post #15 » by **codydaze** » Tue Mar 4, 2025 3:25 am

Thorough spanking tonight but this is again the type of performance that should be the expectation against a team as banged up as Dallas is.

BoogieTime · Post #16 » by **BoogieTime** » Tue Mar 4, 2025 3:41 am

In addition to the silly early Lavine takes, its still a bit annoying that there are loose Kings fans in the t/t board having something to say about Demar

Guy has been putting up 24/5/5 on good efficiency over the last stretch

Hes not going anywhere, we can debate the bench role, but as of writing this I see Doug's dilemma with having to take him out even if Keon deserves to start

But again, he's been fine, if he needs to age off the bench, he's still fine (and been fine in a Kings uni)

OxAndFox · Post #17 » by **OxAndFox** » Tue Mar 4, 2025 4:01 am

Think the most pleasing thing from this game was the intensity they came out of the half with on the defensive end. Outside of Keegan and Keon these guys aren't great, but if they play with the intensity and concentration they can be good enough IMO.