[Game] Kings @ Cleveland Cavaliers, 2/5/2024, 4:00p PT, 7:00p ET

[Capt. Factorial]

Although we've already gotten through part of our toughest stretch of the season, as noted by @Rain man in another thread our next 11 games are BRUTAL:

Wow- these next 11 games are REALLY something!

@ Cleveland (#3 in East, winners of 12 of 13)
vs. Detroit
vs. Denver (#4 in West, .5 games out of first)
@ OKC (tied for #1 in West)
@ Phoenix (#6 in West, 1 game behind us)
@ Denver (#4 in West, back to back)
vs. San Antonio
@ LAC (#3 in West)
vs. Miami (#8 in East, just beat us, back to back)
@ Denver (3 times in 11 games!)
@ Minnesota (tied for #1 in West)

So we play the top 4 teams in the West (Minnesota, OKC, Denver, and LAC) 6 times, with 5 on the road. We also play the next best team in the West (Phoenix) on the road, a top East team (Cleveland) on the road, and one of the more winnable games is against an above .500 team that just beat us on the second night of a back to back (Miami). Thank goodness for the San Antonio and Detroit games, which we will likely make way harder than necessary. Just a really brutal stretch. Anything around .500 is a big success.

So, basically, this is where the rubber hits the road. Let's see how we do, starting tonight at Cleveland. The latest word suggests that Jarrett Allen is expected to play for Cleveland; Vezenkov is still questionable with his sprained ankle for the Kings.

 

[The_Jamal]

Why does it feel like our schedule is just an eternal crap-show? Jesus

 

[Shaqfuey]

I had to vote "jinx" and hope I'm wrong. This game worries me. Definitely need to bring their a-game and limit turnovers.

 

[QWERTYLICIOUS]

Man, y'all are WHACK!!!

Cuz, we bout to shock the world and go

11-0, BABY!!!

Lighting many beans along the way...

 

[gunks]

I'm too much of a realist* to predict anything over .500 on this stretch so I voted JINX, but all the optimists in the poll have my love and respect.

Either way, I'm excited for tonight because I wanna see Donovan Mitchell put in KeeganJail again!




*coward

 

[chief bromden]

Good litmus test tonight. Jarrett Allen, currently listed as questionable, has been playing very well this season.

Keegan trying to D up Spida? Sign me up

 

[midtowner]

When in doubt - just BEAM!!!

The Kings offense has looked so much better lately. None of those teams are looking forward to playing the Kings either - especially with Fox and Domas out for SOME STARS Game snub revenge.

 

[Caccia]

I voted "Jinx." Who can think that far ahead?

 

[Vinny Basketballerino]

Man, y'all are WHACK!!!

Cuz, we bout to shock the world and go

11-0, BABY!!!

Lighting many beans along the way...

View attachment 12401

There's a whole lot to love about this post!!!

 

[iowamcnabb]

That’s the kind of stretch that even really good teams would be lucky to go 6-5 in. Then again, welcome to the new nba where basically all teams are dangerous each night. With longevity, advanced analytics and a surplus of talent we are heading towards a league that has only a handful of bad teams each year. Nuts

 

[Vinny Basketballerino]

That’s the kind of stretch that even really good teams would be lucky to go 6-5 in. Then again, welcome to the new nba where basically all teams are dangerous each night. With longevity, advanced analytics and a surplus of talent we are heading towards a league that has only a handful of bad teams each year. Nuts

It seems every team these days is loaded with great shooters. Like every single team.

 

[Woot!]

Dag. That's rough. Better beat Detroit and San Antone, tell you wut.

Let's assume two wins there and 2 losses on the 2nd night of B2Bs against Denver and Miami. 2-2.

That leaves:

@ Cleveland (#3 in East, winners of 12 of 13)
vs. Denver (#4 in West, .5 games out of first)
@ OKC (tied for #1 in West)
@ Phoenix (#6 in West, 1 game behind us)
@ LAC (#3 in West)
@ Denver (3 times in 11 games!)
@ Minnesota (tied for #1 in West)

They'll have done very well if they emerge from that 11-game gauntlet w/5 wins. Course, assumes no big trades or injuries all around.

Win tonight.

 

[kingsfan101]

It seems every team these days is loaded with great shooters. Like every single team.

Particularly against us :-(

 

[Vinny Basketballerino]

Particularly against us :-(

Exactly. Even the teams that are "not particularly good" three point shooting teams seem to go off on us.

At the risk of inciting the hordes - I suggest that our two biggest weaknesses as a team are three point shooting defense and ability to consistently execute our offense.

Shall I provide the rope or did y'all come prepared?

 

[The_Jamal]

That’s the kind of stretch that even really good teams would be lucky to go 6-5 in. Then again, welcome to the new nba where basically all teams are dangerous each night. With longevity, advanced analytics and a surplus of talent we are heading towards a league that has only a handful of bad teams each year. Nuts

And even the worst teams in the NBA

Spurs: Wemby
Blazers: Grant/Simons
Pistons: Cade
Hornets: Ball

all can just go off for a 30+ game pretty much any night.

Reality is there just isn't an easy game anymore. Our Grizz match-up where they had 11 dudes hurt is probably as close as it'll ever get to a "Free win"

 

[Vinny Basketballerino]

Remember folks I will be lighting a coffee bean of fire if we win. Should provide the motivation we need.

 

[The_Jamal]

Keegan on the Mitchell match-up early.

 

[Sluggah]

I drove by Cleveland once on a cross country trip. Was very happy I didn’t live there.

 

[The_Jamal]

uh oh, Fox holding his shoulder

 

[Vinny Basketballerino]

Kayte just simply talks too much.

 

[The_Jamal]

Strange to say, but mostly great defense from both teams, in the year of our lord 2024

 

[Sluggah]

Damn Domas

 

[The_Jamal]

Jesus Domas is one strong dude. Gets stuffed at the rim, arm wrestles three dudes to get the rebound and still gets the putback

 

[The_Jamal]

... that's a foul?

bs

 

[SacTownKid]

If the refs let the Cavs play this physical it could be a long night.

 

[The_Jamal]

If the refs let the Cavs play this physical it could be a long night.

But Keegan breathes on Mitchell and gets a call.

Typical Sac Kings BS officiating.

 

[Joshoua]

... that's a foul?

bs

Be grateful it wasn’t a flagrant

 

[Vinny Basketballerino]

7 rebounds in 6 minutes. Insane.

 

[gunks]

We're playing pretty tough so far. Loving that we're driving inside despite all the giants the Cavs have out there.

Hopefully Fox is ok after taking that hit (which somehow the refs, in their infallible wisdom, failed to call)

 

[The_Jamal]

LOVE THAT KEEGAN

Right back in his face