The Sacramento Kings begin a five-game road trip tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers. Over the next nine games, the Kings will be at home just once, and the competition is pretty tough. The Sixers currently sit No. 3 in the East with a 6-2 record. On Wednesday the opponents is an improving Raptors club. On Friday and Saturday, the Kings draw the Rockets and Mavericks before visiting the Wolves on Monday. The single home game over this stretch comes against the resurgent Pacers; the following three-game road trip features the Spurs, Grizzlies and Blazers. Guhs all the way down.
The Kings can and should certainly win at least one of these games, and probably two. But let us not ignore how awful the Kings were on the road earlier this season, losing three games by an average of 22 points. That's right: 0-3 on the road, -22 per game. It was just brutal, and we can't blame it all on Paul Westphal. Note that both of the Kings' spirited performances under Keith Smart have come at home, where Sacramento was 2-2 (-2.25 per game) under Westphal.
So let's set some group expectations for the stretch. I think the Kings eek out nine wins to bring the team's record to 12-6, solidly in the playoff hunt. It's time for the world to stop underestimating the Sacramento Kings. What say you? (Poll and your comments after the jump.)
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3 recs | 72 comments
Looking forward to the next three games
76ers are playing great, Raptors are oddly enjoyable to watch, the Rockets game will likely make the Kings look entertaining as hell (the Rockets D has been pretty darn putrid)
wallywagon11 - January 10, 2012
I wish Hayes was playing in this game
I would love to see him and Sammy D square off, even though I know Cousins would be doing most of the squaring in this match-up.
anthonysam - January 10, 2012
Unless the kings have a sizable lead going into the last 3 min every game is a toss up
We have a hard time managing close games to the point we don’t even get a shot off some times. We have bright moments too, and I hope for more of those with the coaching change and system change.
As far as our next game, the Sixers like to get out on the break and our transition D sucks most of the time. Maybe we get back, force them into half court sets and have a good game. Or not.
sac_faithful - January 10, 2012
It is like that for every team in the NBA
Ultrakingsfan - January 10, 2012
I think we go 6-3
We start with a 3 game win streak as these next three are very winnable. Then we’ll beat the Wolves, Pacers, and Grizzlies….we may even beat the Spurs with Ginobili out.
Noble_Bloodlines - January 10, 2012
OK, so after watching this Sixers game we may go 0-9
Noble_Bloodlines - January 10, 2012
4-5
I think that is a reasonable goal, although 3-6 is more likely.
chri5 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
Who do you think the wins come against?
StevenG - January 10, 2012
3-6, but a lot better basketball
I’m more concerned with the second part, and will be paying close attention to the off ball play.
Tonight’s going to be tough. DMC, JJ, and JT need to step up big tonight and play solid on both ends. It will be a tough game for the guards, but hopefully are bigs can make up for the lack of production I expect to see. 76ers have some very good perimeter defenders.
Crocoduck - January 10, 2012 via mobile
3-6
Beat the Wolves, Raps, and Rockets. Lose to the better teams. I’m not sure this team is ready to dominate the NBA yet. I hope that Smart had a few good practices and his team is ready to win more than my prediction. This would be a good time to be proven wrong if they win more.
SharkKings49 - January 10, 2012
I agree
Really need to beat those 3 teams + Indiana at home. Then hope they get lucky and pick up 1 win against one of the other 5 teams.
ElRonToro - January 10, 2012
10-0
I think we are going to double the score of one of the teams and that will count as 2 wins.
ElRonToro - January 10, 2012
Slam_Dunk - January 10, 2012
I voted 1-8
The one win will be a surprise win. We seem to lose to teams we should beat so we’ll lose to the Wolves and Raptors. The Sixers, Grizzlies, Rockets, and Pacers are just better teams and should hold serve at home. I think the 1 win will come against the Mavs or the Spurs. They’re older so hopefully we can just out run them.
StevenG - January 10, 2012
Forgot about the Blazers
Yeah…we saw what they did to us last time. We should have a chance against the Pacers at home but they are big and quick. And we all know what high scoring small forwards do to us.
StevenG - January 10, 2012
3-6
Wins against Houston and maybe 2 more against either the Raps, Minny, or Indy although they will probably all be close games. I’ll be happy if we are competitive in the rest and can pull off any upsets, like SA or Dallas.
thewaterispoison - January 10, 2012
2-7
Tough stretch for young team, banged up, new coach.
Pinning my hopes tonight on the fact that it should be an up and down game which will minimize ball pounding and stagnant offense.
Sixers 4th game in 5 nights. Kings 2nd in 5. Lets see if the Kings are ready to be the running team they aspire to be.
kurtis22 - January 10, 2012
2-7
I personally want to see 20+ assists in these games; the Kings will be a lot better if they’re making the kinds of plays that result in assisted baskets.
Sacramental - January 10, 2012 via mobile
4-5
Wins in Toronto, Houston, and Memphis. Upset win at home against Indy.
I like our chances better against slower teams as I still dont trust the transition defense.
Too tough to call based on the inconsistencies and changes we have seen. Wouldn’t surprise me to see 2-7, but also wouldn’t be utterly shocked to see 6-3 either.
WebberDynasty - January 10, 2012
9-0
Nah, I kid. 3-6, wins in Toronto, Houston and a surprise win to a improved Minny squad.
LightningStrike5 - January 10, 2012
I just hope DeMarcus DeStroys Hawes
Ice_9ine - January 10, 2012
Hawes is still playing away from the basket on offense more 15-20 footers than at the rim
On offense JJ will probably have to guard Hawes, and on the Defensive Hawes has the length to bother DMC if he isn’t getting the ball down under the basket. In spite of all the bad press around here regarding Hawes, he might not be fluid but he’s smart and he’s been groomed to be a big man his entire life. If Cuz trys to take Hawes out away from the basket, he’ll have to deal with Brand once he gets by Hawes. That is not going to be something we want to see.
DeMarcus needs to get most of his catches in under the basket so he can use his body to clear space and go up strong. He’s just not efficient when he starts away from the basket.
In the last game in Philly, Hawes had 16pts and 14 rebs to DMC’s 12pts and 7rebs. It was Sammy that dominated with 13pts and 19rebs.
HighTops - January 10, 2012
3-6
Wins against Houston and Minny, the other coming either tonight (high morale, good rest, should come out with good energy) or the Raps. I know this isn’t really saying anything, but I think the Kings control their own destiny in most of these games. If they execute well and put in 48 minutes of effort, I think each of these games is winnable (except maybe the Blazers). SA and DAL are banged-up, the other teams are all flawed and vulnerable.
AnotherStupidSN - January 10, 2012
Me too. I put some of the same stuff Ziller put in his coffee in my coffee too
And I’m…..let’s say I’m feeling pretty optimistic……..this is better than section’s monkey…..You could say I’m feeling wildly optimistic.
Bluejohn - January 10, 2012
6-3
SAC @ PHI = W
SAC @ TOR = W
SAC @HOU = W
SAC @ DAL = L
SAC @ MIN = W
IND @ SAC = W
SAC @ SAS = L
SAC @ MEM =W
SAC @ POR = L
My Palm Reader gave me these predictions. She’s never wrong.
KoolaidkiD - January 10, 2012
Balky Needs - January 10, 2012
5-4 is do-able in this stretch
Philly tonight will be tough, especially since Iggy will be guarding Tyreke all night.
I say we lose to Philly, Memphis, Portland. We win against Toronto, Houston, Minnesota. Toss-ups are San Antonio, Indiana, Dallas and we could go 2 for 3 in these.
Wonderchild - January 10, 2012
I wanted 3
but voting 3-6 makes me look crazy.
caseycheesecake - January 10, 2012
3-6
Wins at Toronto, Houston, and at home vs. Indy
convoy - January 10, 2012
6-3
SAC @ PHI = W
SAC @ TOR = W
SAC @HOU = L
SAC @ DAL = W
SAC @ MIN = W
IND @ SAC = W
SAC @ SAS = L
SAC @ MEM =W
SAC @ POR = L
We roll in Dallas.
doriank - January 10, 2012
I'm being kinda optimistic: 4-5
Wins: Hou, Min, Ind, Mem
Losses: Phi, Tor, SA, Dal, Por
Memphis and Indiana as surprise wins, while we have a lapse and lose to Toronto.
That’s what I’m hoping for, but 2-3 wins is a little more realistic.
raiderking21 - January 10, 2012 via mobile
3-6
Wins at Hou, Minn, Mem
Slam_Dunk - January 10, 2012
Ugh we have to beat Minnesota.
And Tyreke has to get a triple double.
caseycheesecake - January 10, 2012
I'm so down
And DeMarcus has to eviscerate Darko
Shizzo - January 10, 2012
3-6
But as long as all the games are competitive and they give an effort, its all good.
jumpboi - January 10, 2012
Sixers, Raptors, Rockets and Pacers all seem to be decent possibilities
lietothegirls - January 10, 2012
Ooops, and the wolves
4 of those 5 to have a 4-5 stretch in the next 9?
Possible
lietothegirls - January 10, 2012
3-6 Toronto Dallas and Indy
But, if they play hard the whole game and listen to the coach, I would be satisfied with 1-8
polotown - January 10, 2012
"...satisfied with 1-8."
We are not supposed to be this bad. I don’t care what anybody else says. We should be better than a LOT of teams. There has to be a way to harmonize all this crazy talent and speed and size we have while maintaining that hot spirit of the 2nd half @ MIN the other day—play like that ALL the time. A reality in which our potential is maximized MOST of time. I think this is reasonable and attainable and can happen under Smart. Now let’s string together some bloody WINS. Remember when that used to happen? GO KINGS.
doriank - January 10, 2012
er Milwaukee I meant.
doriank - January 10, 2012
I am sure more wins are reasonable and attainable
but I know for myself so long as the point differential isn’t too bad and even if they have one clunker they at least compete in the next game, I’m cool with it.
wallywagon11 - January 10, 2012
I said...IF they play hard the whole game and listen to the coach
I’m thinking of the next stretch like training camp. If they train well, the wins will come.
polotown - January 10, 2012
1-8 is under no circumstances satisfactory.
doriank - January 10, 2012
I agree with Raptos, Rockets Paces being possible W's
But I think Iggy and the Sixers are gonna thump us, and the Wolves will be surprisingly better against us than we think.
3-6
Dirkula - January 10, 2012
Damn R key!
Dirkula - January 10, 2012
3-6
With the wins coming against the Lakers, the Packers and North Carolina.
section214 - January 10, 2012
The entire state of North Carolina??
That would be awesome!!
StevenG - January 10, 2012
And Green Bay looks pretty tough this year
polotown - January 10, 2012
3-6
I anticipate losing to 2 of the 3 teams I think we should beat, and beating 2 of the teams I think we should lose to. I’d be quite happy if the Kings won 4 or more.
Exhibit G - January 10, 2012
I can totally see this happening
Philly played last night and could come out with zero energy tonight. We could get the W. We should beat Minny but last year Beasley got like 40 points on us and JJ killed us too so I wouldn’t be suprised if we lost that one and Love has some insane line. Same with the Raptors cause Andrea Bargnani has been killing it lately.
thewaterispoison - January 10, 2012
Paul Westphal to Keith Smart aka Nuclear Winter to Unclear Winter.
A very suitable playoff team caliber road record is .500, this year that would be 16-17 wins. This Kings team, now that the dust is beginning to settle, is clearly not a playoff contender. They need to learn to compete nightly and a full 48, that would be an accomplishment deserving praise.
January is brutal for these guys with 12 road games to play. If they can learn to compete (and remember the starting PF is out for a month) maybe they can get 2 or 3 wins for the month (v. 9 or 10 losses).
betweentheeyes - January 10, 2012
6-3
I want to say W with San Antonio because of Manu with the broken hand and they are 6-0 at home , and i want to say W with philly because of our Bigs agianst Hawes but they are 3-0 at home and portland is really good 5-0 at home , I hope we can steal a win or two or three for a perfect 9-0. Indiana is good at home with a perfect record but they are playing at our house. Kings can win that one. the rest of the games are i think we can win. 6-3 won’t be easy but it can be done.
Beer_man - January 10, 2012
Philly is going to be tough
They have a very good perimeter defense. The Small Sample Size Institute does not approve of their +15 point differential thus far, and that will go down some. If DMC can get it going early, it may open up opportunities for our guards to thrive.
Wonderchild - January 10, 2012
This is the first big 'Family' test for Smart
and his young team.
Teams bond on the road. The effort we see on this first long road swing will tell us volumes more than the win total. That said – I predict 4 wins by an improving team learning to focus on the road.
ideazero - January 10, 2012
Hmm...
2 Wins:
Rockets: Dumbest move to let Adelman go. We should know. They lose.
Raptors: Good team so it will be a tough game, but we should win this one. Just have to guard Bargnani. But he has been playing really well and if he goes off we lose.
2 Losses:
Sixers: They are just playing crazy good. Collins is an awesome coach and their D is very good.
Mavs: Actually they kind of suck so far, but this is a home game so they should win. Definitely a game they could lose though. If Cuz stays out of foul trouble and if they can run Kings win.
Too close to call:
T-Wolves: This should be a winnable game, but it is a home game and if the Kings start slow they will not win this game. The Wolves are licking their wounds, but KLove is a beast. If they cannot stop Tyreke, and I don’t know how they do that, then they lose. I think we can take this one…
Pacers: Are just plain good and have some talent, but Granger is out. If he is back and plays we have a tough time with them. If not this should be winnable.
CowbellKings - January 10, 2012
If they can get the first one....
That would be a huge confidence boost. I voted 3-6, but I really think the potential for more wins lies in stealing tonight’s game. Sixers play up tempo, but undoubtedly will show some fatigue with it being their 4th game in 5 nights. If I were Keith Smart, I would be all over this game as an opp. to build confidence in his young team and steal the road win in Philly. Side Note: You know Spencer Hawes is sooo sad he won’t see Westphal tonight, LOL.
White Men Can Jump - January 10, 2012
We win every game DMC has 33+ minutes
ElRonToro - January 10, 2012
That could make sense
How many of the ones that he only plays 25?
lietothegirls - January 10, 2012
7
The other two he plays 15. :)
otis29 - January 10, 2012
3-6
although I could see as good as 5-4 and as bad as 1-8. With this team you never know
Aykis16 - January 10, 2012 via Android app
This exactly.
I’m leaning more toward 2-7, with several single-digit
lossesmoral victories.sj60615 - January 10, 2012
Ah, the moral victory tour!
Actually, that wouldn’t bother me too much on this stretch.
/The wheels on the bus go round and round…
otis29 - January 10, 2012
2-7 best case scenario
we will probably lose at least 3 games due to poor execution at the end. Starting tonight im assuming. We cant play milwaukee and New Orleans every night.
sacman - January 10, 2012
Why not, dammit!?
Sacto_J - January 10, 2012
damn schedule makers
sacman - January 10, 2012
maybe we can run some more of those great plays from the end of our last game
The Tyreke drive to the lane, no look behind the head layup attempt is a pretty solid choice.
sacman - January 10, 2012
Unless someone steps up and starts playing well at the SF this team will continue to struggle.
bignerd - January 10, 2012
yep
lietothegirls - January 10, 2012
5-4
Doesn’t seem unreasonable. Hope I’m right would be nice
Howard Nevens IV - January 10, 2012 via mobile
5-4
@PHI – W
@TOR – W
@ HOU – W
@DAL – W
@MIN – W
vs IND – L
@SA – L
@POR – L
@MEM – L
mjalmighty - January 10, 2012
Wow, some very, very optimistic people on this site.
I’m too late for the poll, and already saw the result of game 1, but I would have gone with 2-7. I guess I’ll stick with that.
I think this team is at the point where they should be able to flirt with .500 at home and should try to better .250 on the road. Put us in the 24-25 win range for the season.
Kfan in Korea - January 10, 2012
I like how...
We all underestimate MIN in these predictions . The t-Wolves are going to be hard to beat…
HarveySpecter - January 11, 2012 via Android app
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