Sacramento Kings at Miami Heat
4:30 p.m. Pacific on Comcast SportsNet California and NBA TV
The Kings coming into Miami after two heartbreaking losses in games they should have won, and losers of five straight. The Heat, meanwhile, could not be playing any better, winners of six straight (all by double digits, with five being on the road) and currently tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the NBA's best record.
LeBron James isn't just having a great season. He's having one of the best seasons in NBA history. He's averaging a hair under 28 points a game on almost 55% from the field, over 8 rebounds and almost 7 assists and 2 steals in just 36.7 minutes per game. His current PER of 32.8 is the highest ever recorded since Wilt Chamberlain in 1963. In short, James has been a monster, and the Kings have absolutely no answer for him.
The scariest part about the Heat is that James isn't alone. He's joined by All-NBA talents in Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, who are also having great seasons and shooting nearly 50%. The Heat's roleplayers are also very good at doing their job as well; Mario Chalmers and rookie Norris Cole do a fine job at the Point Guard spot, and on the wings the Heat can rely on Shane Battier, Mike Miller and James Jones. The bigs are a little weaker, with Joel Anthony only being particularly good at shotblocking, but Udonis Haselm is one of the better defensive big men in the league, if a bit undersized.
This is a very scary Miami team. They are one of the top defensive units in basketball and have the highest Offensive Rating in the NBA. The Heat are shooting almost 49% from the field, and have four guys who are shooting 40+% from three-point range with another in Battier at 37.2%.
It will be interesting to see if the Kings stick with their current starting lineup for this game, as Evans is too small to guard LeBron James and Thornton is too small and not nearly quick enough to guard Wade. Then again, changing the lineup assumes the Kings actually have anybody that can guard those two players.
The one position the Kings can really look to try to exploit is down low with DeMarcus Cousins against Anthony/Haslem/Bosh. If DeMarcus can get going, the Kings may have a chance to be in the game at the very least. Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton will also probably have to have huge nights themselves, a tough task when guarded by a combo of James, Wade and Battier. The bench will also need to be vastly more productive than it has been to date.
This Heat team is not unbeatable, but it will take a bunch of things going the Kings way for them to have a shot at winning.
The game's at 4:30. Game threads at 4:30 and 6:00. Let's go Kings!
3 recs | 55 comments
1st
This is a game they shouldn’t win so they will
Howard Nevens IV - February 21, 2012
Probably. I'm hoping it will be close at least, the Heat are stupidly good.
I fully expect to lose this by 30 points.
VenomySnicket - February 21, 2012
Balky Needs - February 21, 2012
We're goin to Detroit, and Cleveland, and Miami...
and we going to Washington to take back 13th place in the Western Conference! Yeeeaaaahhhh!
RJinFairOaks - February 21, 2012
LOL
chenp22 - February 21, 2012
Great Preview Aykis
Covered all my bases.
My big question is will Coach Smart start the same lineup as the Detroit and Cleveland games, and can Tyreke & Thornton guard James and Wade?
Personally I don’t like going small, mostly because the can cheat off of Tyreke when he’s outside and help out in the paint. And, James is too big and strong for Tyreke. I’d probably start Thomas, Evans & Greene, and might even play Outlaw some on James.
I like our reserves, especially if we have Thornton and Jimmer spreading the floor with the 3pt shot. They’re really the only two reserves that can hit a long shot at a good percentage.
Still, Miami is “Scary Good”, and they beat us by 20 in both games last season. We haven’t beaten them in Miami since 2001, so I’m not looking for a victory here. Just want us to be competitive on National TV. Which probably means we need to score, because I can’t see us doing a better job of defending them then we’ve done to anyone else on this road trip.
HighTops - February 21, 2012
I think this is one of those games
where you aren’t going to be able to stop LBJ and Wade no matter who you put on them. Greene can’t handle LeBron and Evans is not fast enough to cover Wade. So you might as well put your best offensive weapons on the floor, double Wade and LeBron and take what you get. Honestly this is a game where you just hope your young guys can learn a thing or two.
SavageBeast - February 21, 2012
or you could just start Jimmer
That way when we get our butts kicked everyone can say, “If Jimmer hadn’t played such lousy defense, we would have won that game.” I seriously think JImmered is going to burst a blood vessel if he can’t in a few more, “Jimmer sucks!”
And yes, I am mostly kidding.
SavageBeast - February 21, 2012
This game could get ugly quick....
Like I said last night, I’d like a starting lineup of
Isaiah
Tyreke
Greene
Thompson
Cousins
against this Heat team. I think starting IT/Thornton/Tyreke would just get destroyed with Wade/Lebron.
I’m tired of these games before 5:00pm…
HeuristicLineup - February 21, 2012
I like your lineup
I’d love to see Donte actually get 30+ minutes one of these games, just to get a feel for his overall ability to make good decisions and help the team. I think it is difficult to judge that in 5-7 minute spurts. Granted, having to take on LeBron is probably not the most flattering of opportunities, but it has to happen sometime.
Also, Donte has a knack for stepping up to challenges. I’d just like to see that level of determination and care every night from him.
Go Kings.
RJinFairOaks - February 21, 2012
Remember that killer Donte defense on Kobe a few years back?
That was some challenge there, with the game on the line.
DaT3rmin8r - February 21, 2012
revised:
Balky Needs - February 21, 2012
I like this lineup.
Slam_Dunk - February 21, 2012
Man, I can't wait to see how Maimi plans to handle
Outlaw, Jimmer, and Hickson. This could get ugly for Miami quick!
StevenG - February 21, 2012
Sadly...
The Kings probably will need to put Outlaw on Lebron… sigh… can we ban him from shooting though?
HeuristicLineup - February 21, 2012
Outlaw
The Lebron Stopper kinda has a ring to it LMAO
Howard Nevens IV - February 21, 2012
Not sure if I should record the game
Or just check after to see how bad we lost
prowseinthehouse - February 21, 2012
So should we just start Hassan and Honeycutt
Or let the starters get a few minutes to play before it gets out of hand?
Crocoduck - February 21, 2012 via mobile
I'll settle for
Not breaking these NBA records:
Largest margin of defeat
Lowest point total for a quarter
Lowest point total for a game
If we can avoid those, I’ll be ok with whatever else happens.
It’s bad enough that LBJ is so freakishly good, then you have to add in the fact that you are literally not allowed to guard him. If you even look at him funny the referee will blow the whistle. I could easily see this one being over in the first two minutes of the game.
rpmonkey - February 21, 2012
For the record (no pun intended)
That would be:
68
2
49
Scary thing is… I’m not sure that we can avoid all three…
rpmonkey - February 21, 2012
I'm totally with you
Most games I’m thinking stay competitive. This game I’m thinking don’t embarrass yourselves.
SavageBeast - February 21, 2012
Oh, it'll be embarassing
just have to hope it’s not an epic, historical embarrassment.
rpmonkey - February 21, 2012
So more like this?
Than this?
SavageBeast - February 21, 2012
I am leaning towards...
kromeace - February 21, 2012
Reading this preview *puts on sunglasses*
was killer.
A Night At The Arco - February 21, 2012
Well STR, it looks like the Miami Heat
Really “cooked” the Kings…
YEAAAAAAAAH!!!!!
Crocoduck - February 21, 2012 via mobile
Stole this from the Heat's game thread
Ouch…
HeuristicLineup - February 21, 2012
Like a couple of guys I have known...
Slam_Dunk - February 21, 2012
Lucky guys =(
HeuristicLineup - February 21, 2012
Just score a shitload of points
make us look . . . . OK (?)
lietothegirls - February 21, 2012
We're dead dead
aizen07 - February 21, 2012 via mobile
Im going to get my popcorn ready for this horror film...
pakyubai - February 21, 2012 via mobile
"Lebron, I hear Sacramento is coming to town...
You are about to lose your 5-star status."
Slam_Dunk - February 21, 2012
What happened to my Horatio pic?
Slam_Dunk - February 21, 2012
I said this before the Thunder game...
…this may be a game where you keep the ball in LeBron and Wade’s hands, let them score all the points, and try to take away their passing lanes. Make them both score 45+ and don’t let anyone else score. Try and limit their assist total.
Wonderchild - February 21, 2012
I will get through this game by remembering that Lebron
has not won a championship since we beat him in the first game of his career. He has the Kings curse on him and nobody can overcome the Kings curse (especially the Kings).
rmgordon4 - February 21, 2012
Not even the Kings
Considering Sacramento has the same amount of championships as Lebron.
Neil Manich - February 21, 2012
In Isaiah we trust.
Neil Manich - February 21, 2012
Lets try this again... Minus copying an entire chat conversation... LOL
Here is our glimmer of optimism!
The Miami Heat losses have come against…
Orlando
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Denver
Clipers
Golden State
Atlanta
HeuristicLineup - February 21, 2012
Bold Prediction - We will not lose this game...
…on a last second foul by Tyreke.
section214 - February 21, 2012
Dammit Section
Who are we going to blame when it’s all over (at 4:45) then?
I demand a scapegoat!
rpmonkey - February 21, 2012
Salmons or new flavor of the week, JJ
Slam_Dunk - February 21, 2012
I agree with SB up there ^
No one on the team can guard Lebron or Wade & we aren’t going to be competitive if we can’t defend AND score.
So put your best offensive team out there & let the chips fall where they may. Our best defensive unit still gets beat by 30. 20 because of offense & 10 because of the defense.
If we put our vest scorers out there we could possibly stay within 15-20. 10-15 because of defense & 5-10 because of offense
Allbenji - February 21, 2012 via mobile
Never has there been a better game to start Donte and give him starters minutes.
rstewartwest - February 21, 2012
I have a feeling we will win
Look I know my feeling about winning vs the suns, pistons, cavs and even knicks was all wrong but theres’ just no way it will be wrong once again. Thats just too many times in a row. Nostradumbass on the other hand has been getting too many correct so it’s time for him to get his prediction wrong. Is say heat will take this game with a grain of salt, playing very softly and not working hard, allowing the kings just enough room to take over in the 4th.
CousinsEvansDUO - February 21, 2012
I don't think Smart will or should jerk IT or MT out of the starting lineup to try to match up with LeBron and Wade
If those are your starters, roll with them no matter who you’re playing. They’ve started off each of the last two games great, might as well let them continue to build chemistry and confidence (even if they get their tails kicked on the defensive end). Who better to practice against than the world’s best? Also, the thought of putting in Donté or Salmons as our “LeBron Stopper” or “Wade Stopper” is adorable.
If the Kings are going to get destroyed by the Heat, it might as well be the Kings that will be playing the most in the other games. It always used to bug me when PW would get too cute with the lineups and rotations. Pick your dudes and play them, I say. Am I biased because I picked up IT on my fantasy team the minute I saw he was in the starting lineup? Perhaps. In any case, I’ll be bummed if IT doesn’t start this game.
AnotherStupidSN - February 21, 2012
SALMONS IS INACTIVE!!!!
ThomasGQ - February 21, 2012
For unknown reasons
Hmmm? Last time i heard that Geoff had a trade brewing. if its an injury or sicknesses, or even personal reasons doesnt that typically get disclosed? Sheesh i can only hope my prayers are answered and Geoff rights his wrong for bringing the fish back to sac
Gold Miner 916 - February 21, 2012 via Android app
well.
Stanford did beat USC in 2007. Theres hope
Slowstuff - February 21, 2012
Kevin Sherrets
reporting Salmons is inactive
Dub_TC - February 21, 2012
He's inactive nearly every night
But tonight he’s not suiting up.
section214 - February 21, 2012
Who beat the League leading OKC Thunder on National TV?
Who started the season with a win over the hated LA Lakers?
The Heat are Hot but the Kings are Top!
so… game starting soon?
betweentheeyes - February 21, 2012
Its Donte Greens Birthday
We cant lose
Howard Nevens IV - February 21, 2012
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