The Sacramento Kings travel home to play the Atlanta Hawks tonight at 7pm-ish. The Kings are on the second night of a back-to-back, following a 114-122 loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles. Sacramento currently sports a record of 16-23, 4-6 in their previous 10 games. That record situates them at the 10th spot in the uncharacteristically weak NBA western conference this season. The Kings are 3-4 on the second game of a back-to-back this season.
The Hawks come into this game with a 16-20 record, 12th in the NBA eastern conference. Atlanta has gone 3-7 in their previous 10 games. Atlanta will be a bit shorthanded for the game versus the Kings, with John Collins and former SacTown fan-favorite Bogdan Bogdanovic out due to COVID protocols. Cam Reddish and Trae Young are also both questionable for the game.
In a loss to the Portland Trailblazers on Monday, Trae Young scored a career-high 56 points. That was while shooting 17-for-26 from the field and 7-for-12 from 3-point range. Young also made all 15 of his free throws and added 14 assists.
Sacramento is currently listed on Action Network as 1.5 point UNDERDOGS.
Watching the Paint Dry
Sacramento has been terrible defending the ‘paint’ this season. The Kings have still allowed the most points in the paint this season at 53.0 per game. The Kings will most likely be without starting big man Richaun Holmes and Chimezie Metu due to COVID protocols. Terence Davis may also be out against the Hawks, after sitting out the Lakers loss with an injury. Holmes, the Kings ‘starting’ center, has been stricken with a myriad of injuries over the previous weeks.
3rd Quarter Looms Large
The Kings are one of the worst offensive teams in the NBA in the 3rd quarter and the Hawks are one of the best. Atlanta ranks 2nd in the NBA in 3rd quarter scoring with 29.8 average. The Kings average 26.4 points in the 3rd quarter, ranking 21st in the NBA. In terms of ‘average 3rd quarter scoring margin’ the Hawks rank 6th at +1.8 points and the Kings rank 29th (2nd to last) at -2.6 points.
Tom’s Prediction
The outcome, and gambling lines, will most likely change depending on whether or not Trae Young suits up for the Hawks. The Hawks rank 24th and Kings rank 28th in overall defense in the NBA. Personally, after looking at the stats, and sippin’ some coffee at The Pour Choice coffee house up in ‘old town’ Auburn, CA … I predict the Kings will WIN in a sloppy affair. The ‘line’ for combined points in this contest or ‘over/under’ is 231.5. I think the final score will surpass this, and the Kings will win, 122-116.
What do you think? Let us know on Twitter @sactowncrown
Go Kings!
-Tom Witt
Tom Witt Writes 