Home, home in Sactown
where more shots had best go down.
This team makes me frown.
Indiana Pacers at Sacramento Kings
7 p.m. Pacific on Comcast SportsNet California
The Kings return home after desperate for success after a 1-4 road trip that felt like 1-40. Sacramento's offense is in shambles and its defense isn't much better. Effort hasn't been a real problem, but execution is off-the-charts bad.
The Pacers come in one of the East's very best teams against a relatively soft early schedule. The good news is that they are not as good as it would appear on first glance at the standings because this team has largely been beating up bad teams. The bad news is that the Kings are a bad team, so it doesn't terribly matter that the Pacers have been beating bad teams.
The Pacers have weapons all over the place, from Danny Granger to David West to Roy Hibbert to Darren Collison to Paul George. Don't rule out George Hill or Dahntay Jones or Tylers Hansbrough having a big game against Sacramento. You can't! Indiana is also solid defensively, so the Kings' attack will meet as much resistance as it did in the softest games of the road trip (Houston, Toronto, Minnesota).
Establishing some success at home could give the Kings' young players confidence they need heading back out onto the road this weekend, so this is a big one insomuch as any game for a lottery team can be a big one.
Game's at 7. Game threads at 7 and 8:30. Let's go Kings!
0 recs | 62 comments
Sigh... David West....
HeuristicLineup - January 18, 2012
West’s 2 year $20M contract looking like a bargain for the Pacers.
VirginiaKingsFan - January 18, 2012
Our one and only chance to beat Indiana this season.
The bench has been out scored 9 out of 14 games; we lost the battle of Fast Break points in 9 of the 14 games; we’ve been out rebounding in 9 of the 14 games; the opposition has led in points off of turnovers in 8 of the 14 games. We’ve split the 2nd chance points 7 to 7. And, we have only outshot our opponents from the field in 3 games.
The Pacers are currently in 4th place in the East and have the 5th best record overall. They are 5-0 at home but only 4-3 on the road. They are on a 3-game winning streak but have yet to play any team in the West. They are 5-2 against .500+ teams; they’ve only scored over 100 points once, and only allowed over 100 points once.
They are only slightly better than the Kings in FG% but rank 4th in 3P% at 39.4%. They only have 4 players that have taken more the 10 three point shots this season. Two are their backcourt (Collison 11 of 23 or 47.8%, Paul George 22 of 40 or 55%), the other two are Danny Granger 18 of 54 or 33%, and backup guard George Hill 11 of 28 or 39.3%. Those 4 players account for 145 of the 170 threes taken by the Pacers. Considering that 3 are guards and how badly Ridnour hurt us from three in the Minny game, this is a little frightening.
On the bright side, Indiana has only attempted an average of 12 three point attempts in the last 5 games and has only taken more than 16 in two games all season. And, there not exactly burning it up on the mid and long range jumpers either. They have only shot more than 40% in 2 games from either range. Where they do like to score is in the paint. They are only 25th in made baskets at the rim but they are 1st in attempts and made baskets in the 3-9 ft range. They score a lot from the FT line. They are 7th in FT rate, 6th in And1’s and 5th in FT%, and make an average of 21 FT’s per game.
They play at a slow to moderate pace, and have the 3P% to spread the floor and allow them to attack the paint drawing fouls and and1’s. They allow their defense to keep them in most games, with 8 of their 9 wins coming from holding the opponent to under 91 points. They are just a good all-around basketball team with 7 of their players scoring in double figures
David West joins the front court of Roy Hibbert and Granger, but has been less than stellar averaging less than 11 ppg and 6 rpg. Hansbrough is the 1st big off the bench for West, and Foster is Hibberts backup but is listed as out with back problems. Hill and Stephensen backup the guards Granger doesn’t sit much playing almost the entire 1st and 3rd and usually resting the start of the 2nd and 4th. When he does you should see 6-8 Paul George move to the 3 and 2nd year guard Lance Stevensen move to the 2.
The Kings are 3-3 at home and the Pacers are 4-3 on the road. The Kings have been good at not fouling this season (18 per game) and have out shot their opponents by 60 FT attempts. If the Pacers can’t make their 3Pt shots their FG% should drop down even with the Kings. I don’t think there’s a good chance that the Kings could win this one, but there is a chance. DeMarcus versus Hibbert might be the Key.
HighTops - January 18, 2012
nice write up
I;ve been missing these breakdowns.
LaPrimeraLives - January 18, 2012
Great write up. Rec'd
Though you could save a lot of time and just say we are going to lose by 25.
SPTSJUNKIE - January 18, 2012
So, youre saying there's a chance?
Wonderchild - January 18, 2012
Well if there ever was a time to get out of a slump
At home certainly might help that.
Just hope we can get into a groove as a team and that Smart will tighten up his rotations.
herehere - January 18, 2012
Nice thing is the team got to practice yesterday
If I am not mistaken, I think this was only the 2nd actual practice Smart has been able to conduct.
Not expecting miracles, but we’ve seen some signs of increased offensive players and off ball movement recently (MN game for whole stretches), so every practice is an opportunity for Smart to teach more of it.
Hopefully it shows tonight.
SPTSJUNKIE - January 18, 2012
Well that gives us some hope then
herehere - January 18, 2012
Dahntay Jones may dominate us
One of their random players will kill us. I think Jones will be the one since he may get extra PT to guard Tyreke, we have no shot blocker to stop his slashes, and it seems like ex-Kings play big against us.
The other player that may kill us is Lance Stephenson. Just hit his career high (12 points) last week. Looks to be the type of player to dominate us, then never be heard of again.
SharkKings49 - January 18, 2012
I think the dominating player will obviously be Hansbrough.
caseycheesecake - January 18, 2012
Too obvious
After watching Luke Harangody “break out” against us last year when we played the Cavs and Josh Harrellson kill us this year on the Knicks, I’ve decided that the random guy is some guy who I haven’t heard of or I can’t pronounce their name. Although a Phsyco-T comeback for 1 game is also very likley considering we are the Kings.
SharkKings49 - January 18, 2012
This should become a Game Gay Contest. Predict the random player that kills us each game.
If I had to guess I would say George Hill. He fits the same Ridnour heady player who can hit 2s and 3s. He’s had an ok season, but I could see him going off for 20 points with 3-4 threes and 5-6 assists in this one.
SPTSJUNKIE - January 18, 2012
No word on any line-up change?
Allbenji - January 18, 2012 via mobile
Doom
49er16 - January 18, 2012
If we are doomed against Indiana at home
we may as well give up watching the games
ElRonToro - January 18, 2012
I'm getting up to that point
49er16 - January 18, 2012
Well, you just turn that frown upside down, mister!
Balky Needs - January 18, 2012
Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!
Hope this guy doesnt show up tonight or the kings are going down for sure…
Skinsworth Bentley - January 18, 2012
Choke signal?
SUSPEND HIM!
Exhibit G - January 18, 2012
Very interested to see how DeMarcus plays against Hibbert
Hibbert was my “white whale” in the JT draft so I’m always interested to see him play. We’ll see if DeMarcus’ agility and foot speed advantage comes into play.
otis29 - January 18, 2012
In my opinion
The Kings need to loosen the fuck up. It is basketball not rocket science. Move with a purpose and for the love of God,please,pretty please someone cut baseline without stopping in or before the paint. It is not hallow ground, you are allowed to run through and pull your defender away from your teammates to open up the damn paint.
John Takanikos - January 18, 2012
Best comment of the day… Well said Sir.
Skinsworth Bentley - January 18, 2012
Rec'd
Because this so perfectly captures the frustration I think we’re all feeling.
Exhibit G - January 18, 2012
A great opinion it is
SPTSJUNKIE - January 18, 2012
Can we print this on t-shirts?
Shizzo - January 18, 2012
Indiana is a good team, not great, but good
Their starting lineup is solid throughout, although their bench leaves something to be desired. West is a Kings Killer, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go off tonight.
Kings play a lot better at home, and after a disappointing road trip, I hope to see a win tonight before they have to head back on the road, because otherwise it might be awhile before we see another win (I have no faith in this team on the road).
Aykis16 - January 18, 2012
This game
I could see this being one of those games where the Kings come out firing on all cylinders, looking like a team that could beat any team in the league.
I could also see another game where the team looks terrible and the post game comments are flooded by demands to fire Petrie, trade Tyreke for Beno, and tear a hole in the space time continuum to send John Salmons back from whence he came.
Exhibit G - January 18, 2012
If John Salmons was a baseball player
His walk-up song would be “Super-Massive Black Hole” by Muse
prowseinthehouse - January 18, 2012
You just ruined that song for me forever
Flagged!
rpmonkey - January 18, 2012
...
prowseinthehouse - January 18, 2012
ahahahahahaha
actual LOL over here at that one
TheFifthMookie - January 18, 2012
If John Salmons was a race horse, he'd be glue
SPTSJUNKIE - January 18, 2012
With the height on Indiana's wings and their scoring abiity, this would be a good game to start Donte at the 3
Move Tyreke to the 2 guard and start IT to keep pace with Collison. Bring Thronton off the bench to spark the second unit. If JT hasn’t earned the start tonight…I don’t know what to think. My two cents anyway.
adamsite - January 18, 2012
Although I'm grateful for what he's shown lately
I just don’t see the point in starting IT. I would consider him more of a defensive liability than even Jimmer, and that’s saying something. However, I will also admit that Jimmer seems to be improving with every game in terms of defense, but still I just don’t see it with IT.
herehere - January 18, 2012
IT has been better on defense than Jimmer to this point
I question how sustainable that is, though.
otis29 - January 18, 2012
If the Kings can get and make some easy shots, they have a chance.
This sounds like an Indiana team that will keep us in the game, and give us a shot to win at the end.
Wonderchild - January 18, 2012
Winter comes at home.
Sacramento Kings on court.
Grasping they prevail.
Slam_Dunk - January 18, 2012
winter is coming.
lemmetakeutodamovies - January 18, 2012
Morning has broken
otis29 - January 18, 2012
...
bench_blob - January 18, 2012
Sooooooo badly want to put up the Ros the Hooker vagina flash gif
even though it comes with a “censored” part, not sure if it’s appropriate … but funny as hell.
wallywagon11 - January 18, 2012
can I get a ruling from a mod?
wallywagon11 - January 18, 2012
I'm not a mod...
But I say yes.
Ichiban - January 18, 2012
The Kings, bitches!
Shizzo - January 18, 2012
Anyone want to come to the game?
Wifey isn’t feeling well and I have killer seats.
lietothegirls - January 18, 2012
God bless Mullin and his good heart
but his voice makes me nauseous.
Kings Fan In AR - January 18, 2012
Going to the game, but I don't know where I'm sitting yet.
But, you know, stop by and say hello.
andy sims - January 18, 2012
Just looks for the man screaming obscenities at the little kids around him :)
SPTSJUNKIE - January 18, 2012
I'll also be going after the enfeebled.
Just like I do here.
andy sims - January 18, 2012
Dint want to go out
Of your weight class.
Lotusprime - January 18, 2012 via mobile
Should I be insulted that you types that in response to me ;)
SPTSJUNKIE - January 18, 2012
Sometimes, serendipity is all there is.
108 Row B, for what it’s worth. Really wonderful seats, especially as a free surprise.
andy sims - January 19, 2012
I would seriously
Give anyone not named Tyreke/DeMarcus/Marcus for Paul George. I think he’d be perfect for us. Am I wrong?
LightningStrike5 - January 18, 2012
What would the pacers want
Thats not named Demarcus/Tyreke/Marcus? Really want.
Lotusprime - January 18, 2012 via mobile
Why do I feel like I want to jump...
I’m so down right now as a Kings fan
Sincere P. - January 18, 2012 via mobile
Woohoo go kings!!!!!! Lets win baby!!!!!!!! Tyreke and cousins combine for 60 to blowout the pacers 127-98
CousinsEvansDUO - January 18, 2012
Wow
Sincere P. - January 18, 2012 via mobile
More likely........
Tyreke & Demarcus combine for 60 but no one else scores. Pacers win 127-98.
Allbenji - January 18, 2012 via mobile
Now that’s what I’m talking about!
Sincere P. - January 18, 2012 via mobile
Washington took out OKC
must be a sign the kings will pull of the upset tonight
hesabasketballplayer - January 18, 2012
I'm going to miss the game tonight
but you know what scares me the most about this season?Just watching a bunch of teams that I used to think to myself “That team is going nowhere” come in and just beat the shit out of the Kings. Like if they were close matches, you know, I could mentally justify it away, or if this was still early rebuild, I would say fuck it let’s just stay on the roller coaster.
But to see all these teams that were horribly terrible, and in my mind back then only going downhill, come into this season and just obliterate these Kings game after game? What an embarassment. These Pacers! What the heck. They’ve been like sorta bad with what appeared to be no real rebuild plans for so long, but here they are a promising team where NO ONE in the NBA would predict a loss for them tonight. The fuck? The Raptors? The team that couldn’t finagle a back-up plan for the definite loss of Bosh? Even Memphis, a freaking title contender, when three years ago I would have laughed at you to your face if you said they were an 8th seed. The goddamned Clippers are a good team now.
Teams that have been better than the Kings for years (thereby having less rebuilding options) are just womping on the Kings with more promising teams. That’s not cool. We’ve been rebuilding! We should have the promising team! The Kings should be surprising, with youthful exuberance and foolhardy endurance, they should be fun to watch and they should have energy, but they’re not. And it’s depressing, because I’ve watched this rebuild from the start and I know these kids can do it, but they’re not.
I don’t know who to blame, but I do know fingers will be pointed. But this team needs some damn wins NOW and it needs some close, competitive games post-haste. This isn’t about individual games anymore, this is about the spirit of the franchise. Come on men, get out there and play. Win one for the Kings, refuse to be the leagues gutter anymore.
iashwash - January 18, 2012
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