Game 44 Thread - Kings (25-18) vs Thunder (22-23)

Post #1 » by **codydaze** » Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:17 pm

Thanks CityOfTrees for picking up the slack for me missing the game thread the last few nights. We're back at it tonight against a young and dangerous OKC team.

Things I'm looking for tonight:
1. Grown man strength. Though Domas is only 26 years old, he would be the third oldest player on OKC's roster. The Thunder don't have great size in the middle and we need to exploit that as much as we can tonight by feeding Sabo in the paint. With the size advantage he will likely see a lot of doubles and extra defenders shading towards him when he's operating out of the post which should leave room for cutters going to the basket and shooters spotting up from deep. When he's not bullying his way to buckets, Sabo should have no problem finding others with his passing vision.

2. The young all stars. The box office draw for the game tonight is 100% that matchup between the two all star hopeful guards, De'Aaron Fox and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA has been having a monster year (shoutout to him for carrying my fantasy squad) and can get buckets in a number of ways. He has great length and size for the guard position as well which has the potential to give Fox some fits. Since these two are both in the conversation for a crowded guard slot on the Western all star roster, I'm hoping to see Fox take this game personal and show voters out there why he deserves the nod (even though I think both deserve it).

3. Play smart. Protecting the ball should not have to be a key to the game, it should be a given, but we have had some real issues with flat out dumb turnovers. I don't know if there's a stat out there for it somewhere but we have to be leading the league in inbounds turnover on the year. I feel like every other game we have 1 or 2 turnovers off of a simple inbounds pass. OKC is a really well coached team that has the 9th fewest turnovers per game in the league despite being such a young team. It will be important to play smart basketball and not commit careless turnovers against a team that ranks 2nd in the league in points off turnovers.

Sacramento_King · Post #2 » by **Sacramento_King** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 3:18 am

Man OKC has a nice little team. Lots of good role players Shai and Giddey. Our defense needs to tighten up.
Great dunk by Fox

Sacramento_King · Post #3 » by **Sacramento_King** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 3:29 am

Barnes with the free throws. Only second foul call against OKC so far. Wack

BoogieTime · Post #4 » by **BoogieTime** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 3:54 am

trade monk back to the lakers for expirings. just get him off the team

Post #5 » by **City of Trees** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 3:59 am

Keegan with some aggressive rebounds. I like it

Post #6 » by **City of Trees** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 4:00 am

It will be difficult for OKC to keep up this hot shooting from 3

Post #7 » by **City of Trees** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 4:03 am

I like the Kings chances if OKC cools from 3 and shoots their season average in the second half.

BoogieTime · Post #8 » by **BoogieTime** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 4:26 am

Keegan boarding nicely

Post #9 » by **City of Trees** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 4:28 am

Keegan dunked on both J Williams' lol

BoogieTime · Post #10 » by **BoogieTime** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 4:30 am

I was hoping somehow wed get 2 of these three games at home, with Philadelphia and Memphis next. that would be extremely difficult if we dont pull this one out

BoogieTime · Post #11 » by **BoogieTime** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 4:37 am

keegan has 10 boards in the third quarter. starting to show flashes of preseason/sl. hopefully his start to the rookie year was just hiccups

LightTheBeam · Post #12 » by **LightTheBeam** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:02 am

Keegan having himself a game!

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LightTheBeam · Post #13 » by **LightTheBeam** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:03 am

BoogieTime wrote:trade monk back to the lakers for expirings. just get him off the team

Even if he's not playing well, he's crucial to the team chemistry. No way you move fox's buddy. Just hope he breaks out of this slump soon

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Post #14 » by **City of Trees** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:07 am

Yea Monk is vital to the locker room. He's a pro hopefully he catches fire soon

Post #15 » by **codydaze** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:21 am

Keegan with 27 & 12 on 10/12 from the field. He's going to be so good as the third guy with Fox and Sabonis.

BoogieTime · Post #16 » by **BoogieTime** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:26 am

I mean, I think thats some false causality to attribute our turnaround significantly to Malik's off court presence.

but aside from him annoying me, this team is fun to watch currently. good win

blind prophet · Post #17 » by **blind prophet** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 5:27 am

codydaze wrote:Keegan with 27 & 12 on 10/12 from the field. He's going to be so good as the third guy with Fox and Sabonis.

Remember that Detroit finals team. We've got two very talented players. Maybe we don't need a third star, just the right people for what we have now.

Post #18 » by **City of Trees** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:26 am

BoogieTime wrote:I mean, I think thats some false causality to attribute our turnaround significantly to Malik's off court presence.

but aside from him annoying me, this team is fun to watch currently. good win

No one said Monk is responsible for the teams turn around. Chemistry guy's are simply a piece to the puzzle. We were pointing out while Monk is struggling in one area he still provides value in another.

Sacramento_King · Post #19 » by **Sacramento_King** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:41 am

Great win even if it got sloppy at end. That Kevin being pushed out of bounds no call is just ridiculous.

Post #20 » by **City of Trees** » Sat Jan 21, 2023 6:43 am

Kevin Huerter is your DPOG. What's great is he admitted winning DPOG wasn't something he thought would happen this season lol