[Game] 39/82: Kings @ Bulls 12 JAN 2025, 12:30pm PT/3:30pm ET

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Sacramento Kings 19-19 (9-7 away) @ Chicago Bulls 18-20 (8-11 home)
12 January 2025, 12:30pm PT/3:30pm ET
United Center, Chicago, Illinois​

Game Preview:
Kings Put Six-Game Win Streak Up Against Resurgent Bulls (NBA.com)

Availability:
Broadcast: NBA League Pass (NBC Sports California)
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140 AM

Box Score (via ESPN.com)

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Injury Report (as of 2pm ET):
Kings:
De'Aaron Fox - QUESTIONABLE (hip)

Bulls:
Coby White- QUESTIONABLE (neck)
Torrey Craig - OUT (leg)
Ayo Dosunmu - OUT (calf)
Adama Sanogo - OUT (injury management)


Referee Assignments:
Ed Malloy (#14 - Crew Chief), Tre Maddox (#23), Tom Washington (#49) - Seventy-one years combined experience



Mister Slim Says: Well, the Kings played as close to forty-eight minutes of mistake-free basketball as a team constructed like they are is capable of, and they upset the champions on the road. Now they have the opportunity to get back above .500 for the first time since November 18, if they can extend their winning streak to seven games. The Bulls are on a bit of a heater themselves, having won five of their last seven, and are not expected to be missing any important players. Sacramento is in a groove right now, but they can't afford a letdown after such a big win on Friday. If they approach this game with the same intensity they played with against the Celtics, the streak should continue.

 

[Bfreeman]

Ever feel like you’re playing with the house’s money?

 

[The_Jamal]

Fox is back!

Big rotation test for Christie coming up. I understand if Keon doesn't start, but he simply cannot be below 25 minutes in any game he's healthy

 

[est.1999]

Fox is back!

Big rotation test for Christie coming up. I understand if Keon doesn't start, but he simply cannot be below 25 minutes in any game he's healthy

Just cut Kevin’s minutes. Devin and Keon need the minutes

 

[QWERTYLICIOUS]

QWERTY's prediction:

Beans will be lit in the "Windy City" .

 

[iowamcnabb]

Coby White is now out. He always shoots 90 percent from 3 against the Kings. Who’s going to stick Lavine?

 

[SLAB]

Matinee games are always tough. Hopefully that Christie energy changes that going forward!!!

 

[Angelo127]

Can we not start Fox Monk Derozan Keegan Sabonis?

 

[SacTownKid]

Oddly enough, pretty big test in an early game against a team on kind of similar path the last few seasons starting to find some footing.

 

[The_Jamal]

Just cut Kevin’s minutes. Devin and Keon need the minutes

That's obvious, but I like the idea of us going to a consistent 9 man rotation and lessening the workload on the starters.

 

[TaxMan]

Would be big if Coby White doesn’t play. That guy seems to always kill us.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Are my eyes ****ing with me, or does it look like Mark and Kayte are in front of a green screen, instead of courtside?

 

[SacTownKid]

Fox is back!

Big rotation test for Christie coming up. I understand if Keon doesn't start, but he simply cannot be below 25 minutes in any game he's healthy

I wonder how many minutes Fox plays. In the shootaround vids of the last game he wasn't moving around like someone that would be 100% a day and a half later.

 

[Joshyjosh31]

Just cut Kevin’s minutes. Devin and Keon need the minutes

Ya this isn’t hard at all

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Are my eyes ****ing with me, or does it look like Mark and Kayte are in front of a green screen, instead of courtside?

I didn't notice anything, but I will admit I was only glancing at it.

 

[bball_nomad]

I live in Chicago since 1995. So, I've seen plenty
Current Bulls are actually pretty good. Fans didn't expect them to be as good or didn't want to, but - plenty of good, solid, talented vets mixed with young talent with potential. Well coached.
Bulls average 118+ points per game, that's almost 30 points per quarter. Take lots of threes, makes plenty. Have plenty of impressive wins, mixed with plenty of lopsided Ls against bottom feeders.
BUT, Kings are better now. One thing good teams MUST do - is to take care of business. Get Ws against teams that they should beat. Kings have much more seasoned, highest level talent.
Still, what's the point of Celtics destruction and no - show today? I hope DC will navigate this game properly. Still, if Bulls will get into the swing mode - a tough one.
3 things in favor for the Kings:
1. Early afternoon home game for the home team. Definitely not a comfort zone for the Bulls.
2. Kings have much, much better squad, plus a fresh, capable new head coach.
3. No Coby White for the Bulls. I never pay much attention for the players that miss games cause in the NBA there is (in most cases) another man ready to step up.

Get this W and claim a winning record for the 3 road game trip

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Ironic that Ball's first start in several years comes against Fox

 

[fansinceday1]

Very interested in seeing what Fox back in the lineup does too our ball movement.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Exploiting the Chicago defense here

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Of our 8 points, 6 were *completely* uncontested at the rim

 

[fansinceday1]

Looks like the bulls aren’t too worried about the paint. Hope we continue to exploit it.

 

[fansinceday1]

That break was PRETTY!

 

[BosnianDiehard2.0]

They’re scoring way too easily on us.

 

[Remi]

Fox looking bad and slow

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Williams looks like he's gained quite a bit of weight this season

 

[The_Jamal]

Sloppy on defense. We're missing shot offensively, but this Bulls d is charming soft, especially when Ball is out.

 

[Angelo127]

Can we please not go with that starting lineup ever again?

 

[SacTownKid]

Fox looked a bit rusty to start. We'll see if the typical early benching was wise. That hip could tighten up.

 

[bball_nomad]

This game is live in Lithuania. Due 8 hour time difference it's still began 11:30 PM LTU time. Domas is best Lithuanian player now, but fans a very high on Matas Buzelis.

 

[BosnianDiehard2.0]

Can we please not go with that starting lineup ever again?

Keegan and Keon simply have to start for us, we’re great defensively with them together.