Success is tasted
and there is hunger for more.
Oh, hello Memphis.
Sacramento Kings at Memphis Grizzlies
5 p.m. Pacific on Comcast SportsNet Sacramento
The Kings, flying high after an improbable win in San Antonio, visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday in the second game of this current three games road trip, and eighth game in a brutal nine-game stretch against largely tough competition with eight of the games on the road. The Kings now have three wins through the first seven games of the spell, with victories over the Raptors, Pacers and Spurs. One more victory would make the string an unadulterated success. Two more would have us shooting off fireworks. The Kings visit Portland on Monday.
Memphis is a tough matchup. The Grizz have won five straight, including a blowout home win over a Rose-less Chicago last week. Memphis followed that win with road wins in New Orleans and Detroit and sit 8-6, treading water while Zach Randolph recovers. Each of Memphis' primary players has picked up their offensive production since Z-Bo went down, and Rudy Gay remains the toughest matchup challenge for the Kings. When the teams last met, Gay sprung for 23 on 10-16 shooting. Sam Young also loaded up 20 off the bench.
The bigger story from that game, the second-to-final contest for Paul Westphal, was that Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton were totally shut down, combining for 14 points on 6-18 shooting with two free throws between them. Jimmer Fredette had his best game with 17 points on 6-12 -- it's been downhill from there -- and Isaiah Thomas was a nice spark with 15, albeit primarily in garbage time.
Game's at 5. Game threads at 5 and 6:30. We'll also have an open thread for Small Market, Big Heart, which airs locally in Sacramento on Fox at 4. Let's go Kings!
0 recs | 42 comments
VICTORY
SHALL BE OURS!!!
fffindeed - January 21, 2012
yaboyrafa - January 21, 2012
Drama'd
This will always get an auto rec from me
fffindeed - January 21, 2012
Overcast in Memphis
With Kings drawing near to them.
To court to pillage.
Slam_Dunk - January 21, 2012
Aykis16 - January 21, 2012
We're coming for you Rudy Gay!
fffindeed - January 21, 2012
First they slapped us....
Now we attack!!!
HeuristicLineup - January 21, 2012
This reminds me why you don't
fuck with cats.
fffindeed - January 21, 2012
I could watch this all day...I love revenge
RJinFairOaks - January 21, 2012
Nice
That’s why I love cats.
chri5 - January 21, 2012
You have to love the mom/dad/babysitter/kidnapper
that kept rolling the video instead of coming to the aid of the little scamp.
section214 - January 21, 2012
At least it appeared to be a short drop off the bed!
Also, I love how the cat “slowly” (in cat time) goes from shocked to enraged and plans its attack…you can see it in its face. Then it shows perfect fundamental O-Lineman blocking technique as it get up on its haunches and maximizes its thrust.
Rise the Hot Paws!
RJinFairOaks - January 21, 2012
If they don´t keep the boy from hitting the cat they had it coming.
rubenho - January 21, 2012
I do think
that little boy learned a bit about dealing with Cats.
MichaelMack - January 21, 2012
Ya, I don't see that kid slapping the cat again
LOL
HeuristicLineup - January 21, 2012
I've seen that .gif many times, but never went back to watch the video
What awful mom/dad/babysitter/kidnapper
http://youtu.be/XMIhL63KPxw
HeuristicLineup - January 21, 2012
Greene'd
for the cat fighting back
SayWhat? - January 21, 2012
Yeah.
Mojo wanted to join the gang, but before he could he had to prove he had the right stuff. Here is what happened next:
Slam_Dunk - January 21, 2012
LOL! That’s great.
CousinsEvansDUO - January 21, 2012
I love the direction were heading
But still want our draft pick next year.
Chent - January 21, 2012 via mobile
1damutt - January 21, 2012
My Two Cents
The Kings move on to Memphis for their 2nd game against the Grizzlies on the road this month. In our first meeting the Kings fell behind by 14 points in the first quarter but fought back to within two, 52-50 at the half. The Kings came out flat in the 3rd and shot only 26.1%, and the Grizzlies outscored them (35-18) in the quarter for a 19pt lead going into the 4th. The Kings won the 4th by 2pts but couldn’t make up for Memphis’ dominance in the 3rd.
Zach Randolph was out with a knee injury, but the Grizz outscored the Kings in the paint 72 to 46 and led in fast break points 21 to 13. Sacramento outscored Memphis by 8 at the FT line shooting 83%, and were 9 of 25 from three with Jimmer hitting 4 of 6. But, the Grizzlies shot 50 of 91 from the field for 55% based mostly on 29 of 40 or 72.5% at the rim.
Chuck Hayes started at Center and had 8pts and 3 rebs. Cousins had 4pts on 5 shots with 8 rebs in 22 minutes; JJ had 12pts & 10 rebs in 23 minutes. Jimmer lead the Kings with 17pts on 50% field and 66% from 3pt range. Tyreke and Marcus combined for 14pts on 6 for 18 shooting.
Since that game the Grizzlies are 6-3 and currently are on a 5 game winning streak after winning last night in Detroit. I’d be more impressed with their win streak if it hadn’t come against; the Knicks who have lost 5 in a row; the Hornets who have lost 6 in a row and are in last place in the West; the Bulls without Rose and Hamilton; New Orleans again; and Detroit who has the 2nd worst record in the league and is on a 4 game winning streak.
Memphis holds a slight advantage in TS%. Their 3P% is higher although they only make about 3 per game on 10 attempts, while the Kings lead in Off Rebs and FT%. Both teams are in the 2nd game of a back to back and had to travel to Memphis last night so neither has an advantage there either. So, statistically the game looks to be close with a slight edge to the Grizzlies. But, this is one of those games where match-ups are more important than statistics. In the last game the Kings had no answer for Gay or Sam Young who were 14 of 14 at the rim. Tony Allen, Mike Conley and OJ Mayo likewise were able to get to the rim unopposed scoring 11 of 18.
Since that last game, the Kings are doing a better job of getting back and stopping fast breaks. And, Tyreke and DeMarcus are playing a different game and at an increased level. Our half-court game isn’t where it needs to be yet, but if we can create turnovers and get out on the break ourselves, we will be competitive. I just don’t know if we can defend Gay and Gasol, and where the help defense in the paint is going to come from. But, I bet Coach Smart does.
Looking ahead the King only have one back to back in the next 3 weeks. That should provide some needed practice time.
HighTops - January 21, 2012
Two cents has never purchased more
Rec’d.
section214 - January 21, 2012
As always HT.
Killer work.
fffindeed - January 21, 2012
YES!
Practice time!
jveezy - January 21, 2012
Just realized that I had Detroit on a 4 game winning streak; should read losing streak
HighTops - January 21, 2012
HT's two cents is the best value around. Rec'd
Slam_Dunk - January 21, 2012
Great job
SPTSJUNKIE - January 21, 2012
Time to kick some ass!!
HeuristicLineup - January 21, 2012
This is even better than the cat attack above
Crocoduck - January 21, 2012
I love the monkies strategy
Ok, toss this thing on the ground next to him… wait for him to bend down to pick it up, then BAM!! kick him in the face!
HeuristicLineup - January 21, 2012
DC
Any Kings fans in the DC area?
mrosado - January 21, 2012
I will be next year
I’ll be attending grad school out there starting in August.
UCIrvine kings fan - January 21, 2012 via Android app
Well lets see if they guard Tyreke Evans from 70 ft out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEDsl4aBnjY
moproblemz - January 21, 2012
The Kings needs some new rugs!
CowbellKings - January 21, 2012
Lol nice one. Yeah hopefully we destroy the bears tonight. I want us to go to a zone more often than not in this game(but keep rudy gay tight on the perimeter) and make them shoot 3pointers instead of attacking us in the paint..where they absolutely murdered us.
CousinsEvansDUO - January 21, 2012
I´m ready for fireworks right now.
rubenho - January 21, 2012
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