Sacramento Kings at Chicago Bulls
5 p.m. Pacific on Comcast SportsNet California
Another road trip begins.
When the Kings are done with this one, it'll be the end of February, and the team will have just 12 road games remaining all season, and 21 home games. That's a huge spread that can help -- if the team complies -- the Kings finish the season on a really strong note.
If the Kings have some success on this trip, all bets are off. I'm not talking about the playoffs: I'm talking about a confidence launching push toward .500 on the season. The playoffs are a brutal stretch in the West; you might need 36 or 37 wins to get there, which would require playing .667 ball from here on out. Simply not practical.
But this first match, assuming Derrick Rose sits again, is a potential win, despite how brilliant Chicago has been with or without Rose. With the MVP, this team is darn near unbeatable at home unless you're the Heat. Without Rose, there's a chance, however small. But the Kings need to play brilliantly -- attack the strong defense relentlessly, shoot well, prevent Chicago's weapons from coming alive. It's unlikely the Kings will be able to overcome all that Chicago has, but there's a chance.
Tyreke Evans was so bad on Saturday that you'd hope for a strong bounce-back, especially if C.J. Watson lines up across from him. The major matchup (assuming Rose sits) will be Joakim Noah vs. DeMarcus Cousins. Two pests, one a bull and the other a serpent. Should be fun to watch.
Game's at 5. Game threads at 5 and 6:30. Remember: the City Council meets at 6 and will be voting on taking another step in the parking plan process. Your attendance is needed!
Let's go Kings. Let's go Sacramento.
0 recs | 41 comments
Best V-Day Ever
I’ll be spending my Valentine’s Day at the United Center with my one true love, The Sacramento Kings. Can’t wait. #SayYes.
bjax24 - February 14, 2012
Nice!
I’ll be wearing my BJax jersey — heading out now, hope to see you postgame dancing in the corridors, just like that game 2 years ago when we came back from 35…
sj60615 - February 14, 2012
Already posted this in other section
Rose is officially out of tonight’s game, making this a very winnable game. The key to this road trip will be getting better efforts on the 2nd of back to backs. Easier said than done, but that’s where depth comes into play. Maybe Jimmer doesn’t play much in Chi because of how they pressure him, but have him play more in NY, where defense is optional at best. Our guards are gonna need the rest because as they go, the Kings go.
Tom A~! - February 14, 2012
Kings half-court offense vs. Bulls defense
Derrick Rose met with specialists on Monday. Bull’s general manager Gar Forman said. "They reviewed the MRI and all the information. It’s what we thought all along; nothing structural. It’s muscular. He’ll continue with therapy and rest. There is no timetable." Currently he is listed as day to day. However, Rose is likely to sit out Tuesday’s game against Sacramento.
With Rose out, Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau went with CJ Miles at the starting PG spot in Sunday’s 95-90 loss to Boston. Watson has averaged 15pts and 6 assists in his 5 starts on 44% field and 50% from 3pt range where he averages 4.4 attempts per game. Ronnie Brewer is the other half of the starting back-court. He’s started the last 22 games and is averaging 8pts and 3.6 rebs on 40% field and 23% from three pt range. But, it’s his defense and 1.4 steals per game that keeps him starting for Thibs.
Pretty sure everyone knows the Bulls starting front-court of Luol Deng at SF, Carlos Boozer at PF and Joakim Noah at Center, even if you didn’t know how to spell their names. Deng is 2nd in scoring behind Rose with 15.6ppg on 43% field and 36.8% from beyond the arc. Boozer is a close 3rd at 15.4ppg on 54% from the field but has only attempted and missed 1 shot from 3. Noah gives them another high percentage shooter with 9ppg on 51% from the field. The Bulls front-line dominates their rebounding with Noah contributing 9.5rpg, Boozer 8.2rpg, Deng 7.0rpg, and backup Center Omer Asik with 5.5rpg.
Chicago leads the NBA with a record of 23-7 and is 9-1 at home. They win with their defense and have only allowed 6 teams to score more than 100 pts a game against them. They are 16-5 against the East and 7-2 against the West. Because of their heavily weighted Eastern schedule, they have only played ten +.500 teams and are 5-5 in those contests. Against the West they have lost to Philadelphia, Memphis and Golden State, and they beat the Kings back on Dec. 28th 108-98.
Sacramento had a 18-8 advantage on the offensive boards, won the turnover battle 14-18, and outshot the Bulls 8-6 from 3pt range. And, even though we only shot 59% from the FT line we outscored them by 4 from the charity stripe. But the Bulls starters shot 29-49 (59%) from the field, and the Bulls finished with a 54% FG% due to Rose’s and Miles’ combined 17 assists. Noah & Asik couldn’t handle Cuz who out rebounded them 12-7 and 7-4 on the offensive glass, but Cousins fouled out with a little less than five minutes remaining in the game. Jimmer scored 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting in just over 24 minutes of play. Thornton led all scorers with 20, and Tyreke and Rose finished with 19. If I had to pick one area where the Kings lost the game it would be at defending the Fast Break where the Bulls held a 33 to 14 advantage.
Richard Hamilton, who started at the 2 in our last meeting, is out and hasn’t played since Jan 29th due to a thigh bruise. Besides watching out for Miles and Deng from 3pt range, we must not leave Kyle Korver who has taken 180 shots this season and 124 have been three pointers. He’s shooting .427 on almost 4 three point attempts per game.
The Bulls jumped out to an 11 pts lead half way thru the 1st quarter. And, while the Kings closed to finish of the quarter only down 30-24, they allowed 30 more points in the 2nd quarter. The Kings closed to within one with 4:21 left in the 3rd but Chicago went on a 13-4 run to finish the 3rd and never looked back.
The Kings half-court offense will be challenged by Chicago’s Defense, but we’re better at running and defending the Fast Break then we were the last time we met. We won’t be seeing any glow sticks or hear any crowds roaring to pump up the Kings players, so they will have to step up on their own. But, there is no telling how much the loss of Rose is going to affect the Bulls. If Cuz can dominate the boards and score with just a little efficiency, we could play a competitive game, but, only if we find a way to defend CJ Miles the assist machine.
HighTops - February 14, 2012
CJ Watson
wallywagon11 - February 14, 2012
Excellent write up, as always HT.
The Kings’ transition D has looked exponentially better the last month, so hopefully that continues tonight.
The Kings need “aggresive” Tyreke to show up tonight to put pressure on Chicago’s wings. Likely, Brewer and Deng will be guarding him all night, so need Thornton and Salmons to hit their open shots.
Wonderchild - February 14, 2012
Who do you mean besides Philly?
caseycheesecake - February 14, 2012
Nice write up
Considering MT seems to be one of our worst offenders with leaving three point shooters, I imagine Brewer and Korver will get plenty of open looks from downtown. I am ok with one of those, already dreading the other.
SPTSJUNKIE - February 14, 2012
Love these write-ups.
I’ve been using these as talking points with my non-StR-reading Kings fans friends and pretend I’ve done my own research rather than ripping it off from you, HT. So thanks.
ivan209 - February 14, 2012
Nice write up, HT
I’m really looking forward to the match-up between Cousins and Noah. I think Cousins will have a good game. Hopefully, he won’t foul out. Our scorers did well against them in their last outing, I wish I had the same confidence in them tonight. Our best advantage is the fact that Rose is out; otherwise, I don’t think we would have a chance.
Slam_Dunk - February 14, 2012
Who knew the best VDay would be the one without a Rose...
haha ok corny i know
yaboyrafa - February 14, 2012
cheese'd
HeuristicLineup - February 14, 2012
Don't worry, you can still Boogie and hope your Jimmer shoots a lot
SPTSJUNKIE - February 14, 2012
That's been Outlaw'd. Last time I tried to get Jimmer to shoot a lot, I was told I Reke and she faded away
She even gave me a pump fake and offered Head, but was told it smells like Salmons and that IT is too short. Tried chucking out there that I had a big heart, but was told , “Honeycutt it out”
HeuristicLineup - February 14, 2012
then i got pissed off and told her that she can kiss my Whiteside
yaboyrafa - February 14, 2012
Lol. Brilliant both of you.
SPTSJUNKIE - February 14, 2012
Turns out, she was one of my Cousins, so I guess it's better that she lefts.
Still, she left a bunch of Hickson my neck.
VenomySnicket - February 14, 2012
Omg you guys are amazing!!!!!!!
CousinsEvansDUO - February 14, 2012
Here's hoping
that Luol Deng does not spend the entire evening reminding us what a real NBA small forward looks like.
section214 - February 14, 2012
I guess I'll never know because
I will hopefully be seeing what a real city council looks like.
kangsfan - February 14, 2012 via mobile
This
The best way to support the Kings today is to blow off the game and go to the meeting. This is what DVR is for.
SharkKings49 - February 14, 2012
Yep. I'll be relying on my DVR, game threads and recaps for tonight's game.
kangsfan - February 14, 2012
Me too
Which means no recap of the game from me tonight. TZ has you guys there.
Aykis16 - February 14, 2012
glad to hear you and others will be at the meeting
I’ll be stuck in the office out here in pennsylvania but will have the game streaming via league pass broadband.
brobro - February 14, 2012
Just an FYI
but you can stream the city council meeting as well
kangsfan - February 14, 2012
Great! Thanks for that info...
Via which website?
brobro - February 14, 2012
Here is a good starting point, but I don’t recall exactly where I found the link for the last meeting I watched.
kangsfan - February 14, 2012
thanks bro
brobro - February 14, 2012
Get er done
Sactown fans!
HarveySpecter - February 14, 2012 via Android app
Ugh
Not liking this one
Letsgokings13 - February 14, 2012
Via Chris Webber on twitter...
My take on the setup – coming up on “The Chris Webber Show” SiriusXM Foxxhole 98 today @ 2pm – 4pm!
On my phone so i couldnt post a fanshot. Can anyone listen to this and see what happens?
HarveySpecter - February 14, 2012 via Android app
Is this about the Grant setup?
SharkKings49 - February 14, 2012
Im assuming so.
HarveySpecter - February 14, 2012 via Android app
Bad news.
He’s gotta leave it alone. It won’t make him look any better.
caseycheesecake - February 14, 2012
This is a national show on sirius?
And his hook is getting “set up” by a local dbag radio host regarding an obscure vote that nobody outside sacramento cares about? Let it go Chris.
Grant is getting a chub thinking about how he can replay whatever chris says AD NAUSEUM on his show tomorrow.
lchristmas - February 14, 2012 via Android app
I support Webber 100%, but he should drop it
The vast majority of listeners were from Sac and everyone here knows that this is what Grant does. Like you said, don’t give Grant any fuel to blast him. Grant will find something in Webber show to try to tear him up. Personally, I think its sad that our local sports guy is willing to rip on a Kings legend for a mistake that has pretty much no impact to our big goals.
SharkKings49 - February 15, 2012
Guys we will win I promise!!
Look sometimes I just get these feelings that we will win, and so far it has never been wrong(except the disgusting loss to the suns, but then again that was adifferent feeling, this time its for real)
CousinsEvansDUO - February 14, 2012
Could be gas
otis29 - February 14, 2012
Speaking of
JJ reports Jimmer has tummy troubles and is questionable
ElRonToro - February 14, 2012
Have you had your period?
chenp22 - February 14, 2012
FAILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Widowwolf - February 15, 2012
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