NBA: Phoenix Suns vs. Sacramento Kings Preview, Odds, Prediction

The Sacramento Kings had a nasty schedule these days, and things will remain that way with the Phoenix Suns visiting Golden One Center. The Kings are in need of a win here; otherwise the Memphis Grizzlies might extend their gap and further cement their second position in the West. Things are even worse for the Suns, who are fourth but only three games ahead of the Utah Jazz, who is 12th in the Western Conference. Each win is worth gold for Phoenix, with the standings in the West being packed tightly.

Preview

Phoenix Suns (+165) are without Kevin Durant, who has problems with his ankle. Now, the Suns counted on having KD ready for the end of the year, which is why they traded plenty of players in his return. However, it appears that such an assessment might turn out to be bad, with Durant out of the picture.

The Suns have five defeats in the past six games, with them losing to the Warriors, Bucks, Magic, and at last, the Thunder and the Lakers, both on the road. In the most recent event against the Lakers, 122-111 in LA, head coach Monty Williams was very upset with the officiating, as the Lakers had 46 free throws while Phoenix just 20.

Devin Booker ended the night with 33 points, six boards and five assists, but he had seven turnovers. Chris Paul scored 18 points, while Landry Shamet dropped 15 off the bench. 

Sacramento Kings (-195) are recovering from a very challenging schedule, with four road events before a clash with the Celtics at home. They won the opening three away games while cruising through the East, in Chicago, Brooklyn, and Washington, before losing in Utah and against the Cs, 132-109. 

Boston used Sacramento’s fatigue, with the Celtics breaking the rivals in the second and third periods once the Kings’ stamina vanished. After that, it was all a routine for Tatum and the boys, who couldn’t be stopped. Sacramento lost 14 possessions while Celtics had only five turnovers, and when looking at the stats, that’s the only category in which the guests had significantly better numbers. 

De’Aaron Fox scored 18 buckets, Sabonis had a triple-double with 16 points, 13 boards, and 12 assists, while Keegan Murray ended the night with 15 buckets, though hitting only three of 10 three-point attempts. 

Head to Head Games

This is the fourth and last meeting between these two units. For the moment, the Suns have two wins and the Kings one. Phoenix was better at the Golden One Center in the first clash of the year, 122-117, after that, they won once again, only at home, 120-109, before losing at the same place, 128-119. 

Prediction

The game promises a lot of points, but our pick here are Kings because of two things. The first is the current poor form of the Suns, who can’t find a rhythm in the last two weeks. Also, the guests will play not only without Durant but without Deandre Ayton, who is sidelined due to an injury and would be of massive help in this event.

Pick: Sacramento Kings win -195