‘First Playoff Appearance in 13 Seasons…Without Sac Fans in Attendance?’
&
‘Is 2020 the Kings Best Chance to Make Playoffs in the Near Future?’
Sacramento Kings Game Predictions
– Part 1 of 4 –
Read ahead for SpikeballTom’s predictions for the first two games of eight in the NBA season restart – against the San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic.
EIGHT GAMES TO END 13 YEAR PLAYOFF DROUGHT
The Kings will face four ‘current playoff’ teams in their quest to end their 13 year playoff drought when the NBA season resumes on 7/30 (hopefully).
Currently Sacramento sits 3.5 games back of the 8th seed Memphis Grizzlies (whom the Kings finished 3-1 against this season…).
The Kings are amongst a menagerie of teams – including the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs – vying for the 8th or 9th spot in the west, and a chance at the playoffs!
Bibby, K-Mart, Artest … OH MY!
Sacramento currently holds the longest postseason-less drought in the NBA.
13 seasons.
The last time the Kings made the playoffs was 2006.
That was with a team featuring an aging Mike Bibby, a sharp shooting Kevin Martin, and a suspended Metta…. Ron Artest.
VIDEO: 2006 NBA Playoffs 1. Spurs vs 8. Kings
– Kevin Martin BUZZBEATER!
KINGS TO FACE FOUR ‘PLAYOFF’ TEAMS
Below is the Kings schedule for the remaining eight games:
7/31: San Antonio Spurs
8/2: Orlando Magic
8/4: Dallas Mavericks
8/6: New Orleans Pelicans
8/7: Brooklyn Nets
8/9: Houston Rockets
8/11: New Orleans Pelicans
8/13: Los Angeles Lakers
Sacramento Kings Odds
Below are odds, and a breakdown of the Kings playoff chances by Ben Zweiman of Draft Kings Nation –
Championship Odds: +50000
Conference Winner Odds: +25000
8th Seed Odds: +1100
To Make Playoffs: Yes (+1100), No (-10000)
“As we can see, the Kings odds to win it all were steep to begin with. They improved a bit from before the season went on break with the new format giving them a shot at making the playoffs. The Kings have a lot of work to do in eight games and will need help from a few teams, but it’s possible. Sacramento is 3.5 games back of the Grizzlies along with the Blazers and Pelicans. The Kings play the Pels twice, so they can make up a lot of ground there. Issue is they don’t play the Blazers or Grizzlies.”
SpikeballTom’s Predictions!
In my opinion, it feels like the Kings need to win at least 5 games to have a chance at the playoffs.
Though, almost more importantly, they need to beat the New Orleans Pelicans AT LEAST once, but most likely twice to have a chance at the 8th or 9th seed.
Game 1: 7/31: San Antonio Spurs
The Kings start the season re-start off against DeMar Derozan the San Antonio Spurs. Fortunately for the Kings, Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge will miss the rest of the season.
This is a must win game for the Kings.
The Kings are 1-1 versus the Spurs this season.
In their first meeting on 12/16/19 in San Antonio the Kings gave up a sizeable lead late and lost 105-104 in overtime.
Their second meeting on 2/8/20 in Sac-Town went differently, with the Kings routing the Spurs 122-102. Buddy Hield had 31 points, 5 assists and 6 rebounds. Harrison Barnes also chipped in 25 points 7 rebounds and 4 assists!
Video highlights of that game below!
VIDEO: Spurs vs Kings Highlights – 2/8/20
Sacramento has been notorious for slow starts, so the Kings need to get out of the gates QUICKLY in this short eight game schedule.
SpikeballTom’s Predictions:
I predict a WIN!
GAME 2: 8/2: Orlando Magic
In their only meeting of the season in Orlando on 1/13/20, the Kings played well offensively against the Magic.
Unfortunately, 34 points from Nemenja Bjelica, 31 points from DeAaron Fox wasn’t enough to stop a last second desperation make by Aaron Gordon to give Orlando the win 114-112.
Marvin Bagley III played well in one of his few games back from multiple injuries during the season. Bagley scored 18 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Magic big man Nikola Vucevic dominated the Kings down low, scoring 26 points and grabbing 15 rebounds.
Though, the Kings were without Richaun Holmes and the recently traded for Alex Len, who will pose a bigger problem for any big man the Kings face.
VIDEO: Magic at Kings
SpikeballTom’s redictions:
I predict a WIN!
First Playoff Appearance in 13 Seasons…Without Sac Fans in Attendance?
It would be AWESOME if the Kings had an amazing run, and made the playoffs to end their 13 season drought.
A question I have thought about as a Kings fan is :
Do we really want our first playoff trip in 13 seasons to NOT have any games in held Sacramento?
In our brand-spanking new downtown Sacramento Golden1 Arena, with cowbells clangin’, the 6th man goin’ wild!
It’s giving me chills just thinking about it!
Just a thought that crossed my mind…
Is 2020 the Kings Best Chance to Make Playoffs in the Near Future?
This is the Kings ‘best chance’ to make the playoffs.
With an injured Warriors squad not making the playoffs this season, there will be one less spot in the already playoff heavy west in the upcoming seasons.
There are also many teams near-ish to the Kings that are only going to improve – Memphis, New Orleans, Portland, even Phoenix with their young core.
This season may be the Kings best chance – without a change to a sixteen team playoff system, regardless of eastern or western conference, etc. – to make the playoffs in the near future.
