The final game of the 6-8 Sacramento Kings four-game road trip ends with a matchup against the 4-9 Minnesota Timberwolves. The T’Wolves and Kings have been two of the … worst franchises in terms of success over the last decade, but both teams have a renewed hope this season, and beyond. Though, both squads are hopefuls of a play-in berth this season. Dare I say .. this is a big play-in hopeful early-season matchup? I dare.
In This Article
- Thoughts and Recent Records
- Vegas Odds
- Team Stat Comparison
- Tom’s Keys to the Game
Their record may not show it, but the Sacramento Kings have been in almost all of their losses, or have made a decent comeback along the way. Essentially, their losses haven’t been as demoralizing as the previous two-plus seasons. Minnesota has similar play-in expectations. Most recently the T’Wolves lost a close game to the Phoenix Suns on Monday 99-96, and secured a win against the Los Angeles Lakers, who were missing LeBron James. Though, they also have double-digit losses to the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, and a relatively close loss against the Memphis Grizzlies.
I have not watched any T’Wolves ball live this season, but it seems to me that the Kings have an opportunity to win this game. Sacramento does not want to give the T’Wolves any hope of continuing the momentum they may have been rollin’ with coming into this matchup. I will go into that more later in the article, in my keys to the game.
Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and De’Angelo Russell are the headliners for the T’Wolves squad. Towns is averaging almost a double-double this season with 23.2 points and 9.6 rebounds along with 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.
Take Advantage of ‘Sacramento Kings Illiterate’ Odds Maker
As of Wednesday morning, the Sacramento Kings are +2.5, or 2.5 point underdogs, against the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight. If I lived in a state where sports gambling was legal, I may put a chunk of my beertending tips on the Kings to cover that spread!
Key Stats and Keys to the Game
The Kings will need to limit second-chance opportunities for the T’Wolves if they want a chance to win. The Kings are giving up an average of 11.8 offensive rebounds per game while grabbing just under 10 themselves. Minnesota is averaging 13.2 ORB per game. Allowing too many offensive boards has been a constant negative for the Kings squad over the past few seasons. They will need to keep the offensive boards clean if they want a chance to win tonight. Another stat that stuck out to me was the T’Wolves rank 1st in three-pointers attempted per game but 24th in 3PT%.
Consistency and Opportunity
The Kings need to start forming some sort of consistency. This will be an OPPORTUNITY to build upon their well-played win against the lowly Detroit Pistons on Monday. I think if the Kings play their recent style of unselfish, smooth-flowing offense, with improved shot selection. Along with improving team and individual defense … the Kings will have an opportunity to get out of Minnesota with a MUCH NEEDED WIN. That much-needed win would take them to 2-2 on their four-game road trip, which included four WINNABLE games for the Kings – against the OKC Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Detroit Pistons, two losses, and a win.
Tom’s Keys to the Game for Sacramento:
- Commit 12 or fewer turnovers
- Allow 11 or fewer offensive rebounds
- Dish out 21 or more assists
- Do NOT trail by more than 12 points
Take care of the ball and share the ball. Simple, effective, fundamental! Easier said, than done, though.
The T’Wolves have been scoring just under 104 points per game while allowing just over 108 points per game. The Kings have been averaging 111 points (3rd in the NBA) while giving up 110 per game (25th in the NBA). Harrison Barnes, De’Aaron Fox, and the SacTown crew have a BIG OPPORTUNITY tonight!
The opportunity starts at 5 PM PDT tonight in Minnesota against the hungry Timberwolves.
Go Kings!
-Tom Witt
Tom Witt Writes 