Matt George here, the host of the daily Locked On Kings podcast, with your daily Locked On Kings newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Kings and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
The Sacramento Kings’ recent victory over the Miami Heat was a testament to the prowess of Domantas Sabonis. With a game-winning shot over Bam Adebayo, Sabonis silenced critics who often highlight his playoff shortcomings. His performance, featuring 16 points, 16 rebounds, and 7 assists, was a masterclass in positioning and resilience. The Kings’ win in Miami, a historically challenging venue, marked only their sixth ever victory there. This triumph was not just about Sabonis’s skills but also about the team’s ability to capitalize on crucial moments.
The debate over who is the superior center between Sabonis and Adebayo has been ongoing. While Adebayo is lauded for his defensive capabilities, Sabonis’s offensive skills and rebounding prowess set him apart. Sabonis’s ability to score, shoot, rebound and facilitate makes him a unique asset, comparable only to three-time MVP center Nikola Jokic. Despite Adebayo’s defensive stats, Sabonis’s overall contribution to the game cannot be overlooked.
Kings’ Third Quarter Dominance
The Kings have shown a remarkable ability to dominate third quarters this season. Against the Heat, they turned a 15-point deficit into a lead, outscoring Miami 37-13. This surge was led by De’Aaron Fox, who scored 16 points in the quarter alone. The Kings’ third-quarter performance has been a consistent highlight, with the team ranking third in the NBA for points scored in this period.
Fox’s leadership and scoring ability were crucial in this turnaround. His performance silenced critics who claim he waits too long to make an impact. The Kings’ ability to regroup and refocus after a heated halftime discussion demonstrates their resilience and commitment to winning.
The Kings’ shooting woes, however, remain a concern. Despite their third-quarter success, their overall three-point shooting percentage is troubling. The team must find a way to improve their shooting consistency to maximize their offensive potential. The absence of Kevin Huerter, one of their best shooters, has been felt, but the team cannot rely solely on one player to solve their shooting issues.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Kings’ strategies and performances, tune into the Locked On Kings podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Kings Podcast:
- The impact of DeMar DeRozan’s clutch performance
- Analysis of the Kings’ three-point shooting struggles
- Insights into the Kings’ halftime adjustments and team dynamics
Here’s something I love: The Detroit Pistons with a win record of 3-5, better than the combined record of the Bucks and the Sixers. Given Detroit’s slow start to the season, and that lopsided match against the Knicks last Friday, I thought we were in for another season where the best the Pistons could hope for was besting their last season record of 14-68.
Yes, there could still be a slump; yes, the play-in still feels like an aspirational goal for this team, but neither of those outcomes takes away from the truth of the matter which is, the league is better when the Pistons are competitive.
This is a franchise with a proud, hard-fought history, a winning history, and one that’s been hard to see these last few seasons under the tarnish of poor decision making and ill-timed coaching fits. Going back to Cade Cunningham’s rookie season, coached by Dwane Casey, that team and the iterations that followed were too good to be as bad as they appeared. Casey — who transitioned into a front office role with the team last season —is a great coach, if a touch old fashioned. Admittedly, I miss being more proximal to him for the Casey-isms alone he’d offer, e.g. More than one way to skin a cat. A front office, mentorship-driven fit was always the goal of Casey even as head coach, given the rebuilding stage the team was in and how in two years its median age of players dipped to one of the youngest in the league.
Skip to last season, Monty Williams’ brief tenure and that dismal aforementioned season record, and rather than treat it as an unfortunate blip, the Pistons young talent took it as a lesson. Cade is in his fourth season and has lost more than any of his five draft contemporaries he was in the running for Rookie of the Year with. Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley, Jalen Green, Franz Wagner — these guys have certainly seen slumps, the nature of the Draft dictates likely being drafted to a struggling or rebuilding team, but they’ve also had their share of successes. Enough to keep them growing and developing. Cade has, in almost every way, had to take it upon himself to sift the lessons from the seasonal wreckage and keep his hope alive. That takes an incredible amount of discipline and fortitude.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis Domantas Sabonis played a pivotal role in the Kings’ narrow victory over the Heat, showcasing his leadership on the court. (Sports Illustrated)
Feel Good A viral game-winning shot by Sabonis highlights his crucial last-minute heroics, boosting the team’s morale. (Sports Illustrated)
Analysis An absurd stat reveals the indispensable role of a key player, underscoring his importance to the Kings’ success. (Sports Illustrated)
Analysis The Kings vs. Heat game swing stat highlights the decisive moments that influenced the outcome, emphasizing strategic plays. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview An expected lineup change could impact the Kings’ future games, introducing a fresh strategy for upcoming matchups. (Sports Illustrated)
Feel Good The Pistons had to take the subway to their game in Brooklyn because of the NYC marathon (ESPN)
Analysis Will the NBA pinpoint its 3 point problem? (TSA, Substack)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Is It Truly A Zach Edey Fantasy Basketball Breakout?
Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) drives to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) and forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) and guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center.|Photo by Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Monday’s NBA action was packed with thrilling games and standout performances, offering plenty of insights for fantasy basketball enthusiasts. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key matchups and player performances that could impact your fantasy strategy.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Bucks faced off against the Cavaliers in a closely contested game, with Cleveland edging out Milwaukee 116-114. Giannis Antetokounmpo was sidelined with an adductor issue, which opened the door for Bobby Portis to shine. Portis delivered an impressive 21 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks, showcasing his potential when given extended minutes. Damian Lillard also had a strong outing with 36 points and seven assists, while Brook Lopez contributed defensively with four steals and two blocks.
Golden State Warriors vs. Washington Wizards
The Warriors secured a road victory against the Wizards, 125-112. Stephen Curry returned to action, scoring 24 points in limited minutes. Buddy Hield continued his hot streak with 20 points, but his current shooting efficiency may not be sustainable. For the Wizards, Jordan Poole put up 24 points, but his high block and steal numbers suggest a potential sell-high opportunity.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons pulled off a win against the Lakers, 115-103. LeBron James and Anthony Davis both had strong performances, with Davis scoring 37 points despite an ankle injury scare. Jaden Ivey impressed for Detroit, solidifying his status as a must-roster player with his improved play this season.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Kings podcasts.
The Sacramento Kings Can Live with De’Aaron Fox’s Last Shot, But Not the Team Turnovers Matt George breaks down the Sacramento Kings’ overtime loss to the Toronto Raptors, including a long look at the final possession and De’Aaron Fox’s last shot.
The Sacramento Kings Pass the Test in Atlanta Matt George breaks down the Sacramento Kings win in Atlanta, where the Hawks nearly pulled off the major comeback, but the Kings learned from early season mistakes and closed it out.
What’s Real or Fake About the Sacramento Kings’ Start to the Season Matt George is joined by Sports Illustrated writer & stat master Will Z to break down the numbers for the Sacramento Kings through the first 4 games and what really reflects who this team is.
