Greetings, fellow Kings fans!
It's back to normal... at least as far as TV game coverage goes. I certainly hope the league addresses the "last second game dump" scenario in the off-season. It shouldn't happen and if it does, alternatives should be available. (Just my three cents, of course...)
It's cold and snowy and cold and ... did I mention the snow? For part of the day yesterday I had the interesting experience of looking out my front window and seeing snow, walking about 10 feet and looking out the back window and seeing rain. The snow line was apparently bisecting my house which was pretty cool. The level fell significantly during the night, however, and I woke up to about 8 inches of new snow all the way around.
Here's the skinny on tonight's game from Sam Amick in the Bee:
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14226396p-15050451c.html
Kings (28-31) at New Jersey (32-26)
THE SKINNY
Site: Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey.
Tipoff: 4:30 p.m.
Kings update
Status: Add the loss to Washington on Sunday to the one-that-got-away list. The Kings couldn't quite come all the way back in what was a very winnable game. Beating the Nets is key to maintaining some semblance of momentum on this five-game trip. They fell in their last visit to New Jersey, losing 96-85 last season, and have lost two straight in the Nets' house overall.
Trend: Back-to-back games are a nuisance for every team, and the Kings are no exception. They are 4-8 on the back end of back-to-backs, such as today's affair. This one is easier than most, as the Kings played an afternoon game on Sunday.
Injury report: Francisco García, sprained left ankle, out.
Nets update
Status: For as good a season as the Nets have had, the Atlantic Division leaders have been a team of streaks and slides. Before beating Toronto in overtime on Saturday, New Jersey lost consecutive games to Indiana, Atlanta and Minnesota. It was the fifth time this season the Nets had lost at least three straight.
Trend: If the Kings keep up their late trend of decent defense, they should be able to slow the Nets down. New Jersey is 23rd in the league in shooting percentage (44.3 percent). Seven-footer and Stanford product Jason Collins is the worst among the starters (40.1 percent).
Injury report: Jeff McInnis, torn cartilage in left knee, out.
Best matchup: Artest vs. Jefferson - Jefferson remains one of the most underrated players in the league, an all-around talent who will be no small challenge for Artest. Jefferson averages 19.6 points per game and 7.1 rebounds.
-----------------------------------------------
I want to take this opportunity to thank the NBA for scheduling this game early enough so that it will be over before the TWO HOUR episode of "24" comes on.
I'm fixing a big batch of potato soup today. It just always seems to go perfectly with the cold weather. Add some garlic bread with lots of butter and it's a meal fit for a Kings fan, IMHO.
As always, we have piksi's game discussion thread and we have Mr. S£im's CHAT PARTY LIVE over at mIRC (server: irc.bludgeon.org, channel #Kingsfans) for you to use to share the game experience with your fellow Kings fans.
Now, I have to bring in some firewood, make sure I have all my lucky charms in their proper places, and do a few little chores around here before the game.
I think we're going to win this game convincingly. I just don't think Jack ... er, Ron... will accept anything else.
It's back to normal... at least as far as TV game coverage goes. I certainly hope the league addresses the "last second game dump" scenario in the off-season. It shouldn't happen and if it does, alternatives should be available. (Just my three cents, of course...)
It's cold and snowy and cold and ... did I mention the snow? For part of the day yesterday I had the interesting experience of looking out my front window and seeing snow, walking about 10 feet and looking out the back window and seeing rain. The snow line was apparently bisecting my house which was pretty cool. The level fell significantly during the night, however, and I woke up to about 8 inches of new snow all the way around.
Here's the skinny on tonight's game from Sam Amick in the Bee:
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14226396p-15050451c.html
Kings (28-31) at New Jersey (32-26)
THE SKINNY
Site: Continental Airlines Arena, New Jersey.
Tipoff: 4:30 p.m.
Kings update
Status: Add the loss to Washington on Sunday to the one-that-got-away list. The Kings couldn't quite come all the way back in what was a very winnable game. Beating the Nets is key to maintaining some semblance of momentum on this five-game trip. They fell in their last visit to New Jersey, losing 96-85 last season, and have lost two straight in the Nets' house overall.
Trend: Back-to-back games are a nuisance for every team, and the Kings are no exception. They are 4-8 on the back end of back-to-backs, such as today's affair. This one is easier than most, as the Kings played an afternoon game on Sunday.
Injury report: Francisco García, sprained left ankle, out.
Nets update
Status: For as good a season as the Nets have had, the Atlantic Division leaders have been a team of streaks and slides. Before beating Toronto in overtime on Saturday, New Jersey lost consecutive games to Indiana, Atlanta and Minnesota. It was the fifth time this season the Nets had lost at least three straight.
Trend: If the Kings keep up their late trend of decent defense, they should be able to slow the Nets down. New Jersey is 23rd in the league in shooting percentage (44.3 percent). Seven-footer and Stanford product Jason Collins is the worst among the starters (40.1 percent).
Injury report: Jeff McInnis, torn cartilage in left knee, out.
Best matchup: Artest vs. Jefferson - Jefferson remains one of the most underrated players in the league, an all-around talent who will be no small challenge for Artest. Jefferson averages 19.6 points per game and 7.1 rebounds.
-----------------------------------------------
I want to take this opportunity to thank the NBA for scheduling this game early enough so that it will be over before the TWO HOUR episode of "24" comes on.
I'm fixing a big batch of potato soup today. It just always seems to go perfectly with the cold weather. Add some garlic bread with lots of butter and it's a meal fit for a Kings fan, IMHO.
As always, we have piksi's game discussion thread and we have Mr. S£im's CHAT PARTY LIVE over at mIRC (server: irc.bludgeon.org, channel #Kingsfans) for you to use to share the game experience with your fellow Kings fans.
Now, I have to bring in some firewood, make sure I have all my lucky charms in their proper places, and do a few little chores around here before the game.
I think we're going to win this game convincingly. I just don't think Jack ... er, Ron... will accept anything else.
