[Game] Kings at Grizzlies, Thursday May 13th, 5 PM Pacific (8 PM Eastern)

[Capt. Factorial]

Today could (effectively) be the last day of the Kings' (31-38) season, as a loss to the Grizzlies or a win by the Spurs (33-36), who are playing at the Knicks a half an hour before our tipoff, would eliminate the Kings from play-in tournament contention.

In other lottery-relevant action, the Hornets (33-36) are hosting the Clippers, the Pacers (33-36) are hosting the Bucks, and the Bulls (29-40) are hosting the Raptors.

In injury news, Fox, Haliburton, and Woodard are out, Barnes is unlikely, Bagley is doubtful (frankly, I'm not sure of the difference between "unlikely" and "doubtful"), and Buddy is probable with his balky ankle.

(Edit: "and" to "or", somehow convinced myself we had the tiebreaker)

 

[HndsmCelt]

 

[SLAB]

What else did we hire Luke Walton for except for having a minute chance at being the the 10th best team in the Western Conference with 3 games left?

#ExtendWalton

 

[Livinthedream]

What else did we hire Luke Walton for except for having a minute chance at being the the 10th best team in the Western Conference with 3 games left?

#ExtendWalton

Exciting isn't it?

 

[SLAB]

Exciting isn't it?

THRILLING!!!

 

[SacTownKid]

What else did we hire Luke Walton for except for having a minute chance at being the the 10th best team in the Western Conference with 3 games left?

#ExtendWalton

It's just a matter of time before the NBA makes it a 28 team tournament. Then the Kings can hang that 16th place banner where it belongs.

 

[SacTownKid]

As disappointing as it would have sounded about 3-4 months ago considering the circumstances this is probably the biggest game of the season yet. Wow.

 

[iowamcnabb]

It's just a matter of time before the NBA makes it a 28 team tournament. Then the Kings can hang that 16th place banner where it belongs.

the Flip side of this is you might as well just let the top 4 teams from each conference in plus one slot for an LA team (just in case they are load managing)

the NBA doesn’t offer much in the way of competitive balance.

 

[SLAB]

A large center abusing Holmes? You don’t say.

 

[SacTownKid]

The Kings certainly came out focused today. This is the type of game where coaching and eventual adjustments might be the difference.

 

[The_Jamal]

Ok D. Jones! Big offensive board, and protecting the rim the next play.

 

[SacTownKid]

You have to give Buddy some credit, when he's poised, he's poised.

 

[The_Jamal]

That's not a foul? lol

Karma, hitting the 3 next play.

 

[The_Jamal]

DAMIAN JONES DEFENSE.

METU NAILING A C&S THREE

THINGS ARE HAPPENING

 

[The_Jamal]

Once again, no foul? Metu with an awesome move, gets nailed on the hand, no call.

 

[SLAB]

I think Chimeze has a greener light than even TD.

 

[SacTownKid]

I can't think of anything working out more Walton level than eventually seeing Davis and Metu become the focus of your offense. haha.

 

[The_Jamal]

Damian Jones making an enormous impact on D. He's way more agile than I initially thought before he came here, hedging out onto guards and such.

 

[SLAB]

TD the GOAT

 

[SacTownKid]

Outside of that turnover in the pick and roll Buddy has been running this team like a superstar. Drawing the defense his way and finding the right play almost every single time.

 

[SLAB]

Could you imagine if we didn’t lose to SA?

 

[SLAB]

Outside of that turnover in the pick and roll Buddy has been running this team like a superstar. Drawing the defense his way and finding the right play almost every single time.

Drives it into a three on one when TD was running wide open next to him. Buddy giveth and Buddy taketh.

 

[SacTownKid]

Now Buddy is clearly getting gassed out here. Luke will ride guys till they drop.

 

[SacTownKid]

Drives it into a three on one when TD was running wide open next to him. Buddy giveth and Buddy taketh.

Buddy tiredth. Right now he's on pace to play 43 minutes in this one. lol.

 

[SLAB]

What’s that, three straight awful Buddy possessions?

 

[SacTownKid]

This is an interesting contrast in coaching right now. Walton is clearly playing this minute to minute while Jenkins might be being a little too relaxed here. He stole a BUNCH of rest for his main guys while Walton was burning Buddy to a crisp.

 

[Livinthedream]

We're better without our starters.

 

[SLAB]

I don’t think New JJ has scored this much in his entire NBA career to this point.

 

[SacTownKid]

Big time opportunity here. The Grizz will have to factor in James into their defense in the next half.

 

[SacTownKid]

We're better without our starters.

LUKE WALTON. I'm totally down to bring David Nwaba back from the NBA graveyard if Walton is truly untouchable.