[Game] Kings @ Pelicans (Play-In Tournament) - 4/19 6:30PM PDT/9:30 PM EDT
- Thread starter RoyalDiva
- Start date
Kings played well partially because the W’s are the smallest team in the NBA and they are too old to be quick.
the Kings have struggled with length at the wing all year and even without Zion the Pels have it in spades. Mike isn’t the kind of coach to change things up. If we struggle with San Antonio and Houston and lost to a Zionless Pels team by 30, I’m not so sure why people are so confident.
the Kings have struggled with length at the wing all year and even without Zion the Pels have it in spades. Mike isn’t the kind of coach to change things up. If we struggle with San Antonio and Houston and lost to a Zionless Pels team by 30, I’m not so sure why people are so confident.
The only consistent thing about the Kings this season is our ability to be inconsistent. I have no idea which version of our team will show up tomorrow and that is what makes me the most nervous. There’s no way to even mentally prepare. We may lose by 30 plus, be up by 20+ and blow it, or surprise everyone and win easily. As long as we don’t embarrass ourselves tomorrow by playing like a G league team, I’ll take whatever outcome happens. On paper, we are at a disadvantage. Their strengths unfortunately mirror a lot of our weaknesses, but you play the game for a reason. If we play like we are capable of, I firmly believe we can hang with anyone. If we are going to pick a point in the season to flip the switch, tomorrow is it.
The reason that I am optimistic - I think we can pressure their ball handlers all game. If we can make them use a ton of shot clock before getting into their offense - and avoid turnovers when we have the ball, our chances are good. That’s assuming we actually cover CJ and Murphy III and don’t let Ingram live at the line.
Zion, no Zion doesn't really matter when they still have Ingram and McCullum who the Kings can't defend. Sabonis trying to play bully ball versus Valanciunas is not a recipe for success either, he needs to take those mid range jumpers, make or miss. If this is the last game of the season, at least let it be a competitive conclusion to the season, that's all.
I’d have Keegan on BI and then rotate Fox, Ellis and Davion in pressuring their guards. Might even see a bit of Duarte against a SF. Can’t match there length with our main guys but we can outpressure them and stay fast. Stay on a string like we did against GS. Don’t be afraid to use Kessler for a small stint to guard BI. Need to make that guy work.
Put Davion on Jose Alvarado. That guy is like the Energizer Bunny when he plays the Kings. He had 7 assists and 10 points against the Lakers, +10 overall, and very similar numbers against us on April 11, except +17.
https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401585798
https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401585798
Mike Brown and the staff needs to throw away their game plans they had for the 5 games against the Pels during the regular season.
The Kings need to dial up the defensive pressure from the opening tip, like what they did against the Warriors.... unleash Keon on CJ and Murray on Ingram..... Sabonis needs to get involved early and take the ball in hard against Jonas and also take the open 3s and mid range jumpers..... pressure the 3 point shooters and don't allow open 3s all game (maybe throw in some Kessler Edwards defense).... Keegan needs to stay aggressive and score 20+ and defend Ingram effectively.... if the Kings can do all of this, they have a good chance winning this game
The Kings need to dial up the defensive pressure from the opening tip, like what they did against the Warriors.... unleash Keon on CJ and Murray on Ingram..... Sabonis needs to get involved early and take the ball in hard against Jonas and also take the open 3s and mid range jumpers..... pressure the 3 point shooters and don't allow open 3s all game (maybe throw in some Kessler Edwards defense).... Keegan needs to stay aggressive and score 20+ and defend Ingram effectively.... if the Kings can do all of this, they have a good chance winning this game
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The KINGS beat this same Pels roster 2-1 last season. And historically De’Aaron Fox has owned the Pels. Even averaged over 40 one season. So I believe this season has been an anomaly and that WE take this one when it actually counts most.
Further, the 1st two games played between these teams were games 4 and 5 of a 6-game roadie with the first matchup occurring on a back-to-back. The other 3 the Pels got us on normal rest, but so what? As I said, same rosters (essentially) had different results the season before. So I don’t see any reason the tide can’t suddenly change again as they did this season from last.
Hopefully the Pels players are just as overconfident as it’s fanbase.
Further, the 1st two games played between these teams were games 4 and 5 of a 6-game roadie with the first matchup occurring on a back-to-back. The other 3 the Pels got us on normal rest, but so what? As I said, same rosters (essentially) had different results the season before. So I don’t see any reason the tide can’t suddenly change again as they did this season from last.
Hopefully the Pels players are just as overconfident as it’s fanbase.
Probably so, but more importantly IMO is the KINGS taking the game seriously and playing hard on both ends from opening tip the final buzzer. Except for perhaps the last matchup late in the season, the KINGS body language, energy and effort looked to me like a team that didn’t care much. Like many games during a long 82-game schedule, they coasted and went through the motions.
Change that up for the better and they’ve got a much better chance regardless of the game plan. But a better strategic effort would also go a long way toward changing the outcome, too.
Change that up for the better and they’ve got a much better chance regardless of the game plan. But a better strategic effort would also go a long way toward changing the outcome, too.
As I mentioned above, “effort”.
It mostly wasn’t there defensively in at least 4 of the 5 matchups. Mixed with “lazy” offense, we all saw the results.
If the KINGS play with the same effort, energy, hustle and defensive intensity they showed against the Warriors on Tuesday night, their odds will be greatly improved.
It mostly wasn’t there defensively in at least 4 of the 5 matchups. Mixed with “lazy” offense, we all saw the results.
If the KINGS play with the same effort, energy, hustle and defensive intensity they showed against the Warriors on Tuesday night, their odds will be greatly improved.
Not so far this season, but they beat the Pels 2-1 last season with both teams fielding similar lineups.
So there’s no reason the tide can’t change again. Besides, how fitting would it be to beat a team that beat you 5x? It’s precisely the type of thing that would happen to the KINGS if the roles were reversed.
As long time Miami Dolphins fan, I recall the Dolphins heading into an AFC Championship game with home field advantage against a Patriots team that was 0-18 all time in Miami heading into the game (including 0-1 that season). Guess what happened?
So there’s no reason the tide can’t change again. Besides, how fitting would it be to beat a team that beat you 5x? It’s precisely the type of thing that would happen to the KINGS if the roles were reversed.
As long time Miami Dolphins fan, I recall the Dolphins heading into an AFC Championship game with home field advantage against a Patriots team that was 0-18 all time in Miami heading into the game (including 0-1 that season). Guess what happened?
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I am a little concerned that Sabonis did not make any shots that were not around the basket in the past two games. He has to sink a couple of mid-range jumpers to keep Valančiūnas honest.
Another concern is the skill with which New Orleans sets picks for CJ McCollum. Somehow, the Kings have to figure out how to get a hand in his face, no matter how slippery the move or play. That may mean double teaming to negate the screen. McCollum does average 4.6 assists per game, and certainly knows how to pass the ball. The guy hit 6 of 9 three-pointers one week ago today.
Another concern is the skill with which New Orleans sets picks for CJ McCollum. Somehow, the Kings have to figure out how to get a hand in his face, no matter how slippery the move or play. That may mean double teaming to negate the screen. McCollum does average 4.6 assists per game, and certainly knows how to pass the ball. The guy hit 6 of 9 three-pointers one week ago today.
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I spoke with my brother in law about upcoming game. We reminisced about many games we watched together years ago. NBA Finals between Rockets and Knicks in 1994 and so on. We used to go hunting, but always made back before the tip-off. I teased him: "Well, the game will start for me tomorrow", he just cursed at me. I imagine that since he has a day of on Saturday, he'll just keep sipping on good cognac, waiting for the game to start. Time zones are a b*tch, I know
We actually beat the Kings twice without Zion and we were up almost 50 points in 1 of those games. I hope we get to introduce you guys to the guy we call Hawk eye.(Edit- I think he was out there that game we were up 50 and got a few 3 pointers off)Time to put the shooters on the floor. I keep hearing about Fox and Herb Jones will be ready for him. Ingram had a lot of high praise today from practice. So I would expect Baby KD to have his redeem game from that lakers game.