Kings fans love what they’ve seen in two preseason games under coach Mike Brown, but they still might be surprised to learn where their team ranks among the NBA’s preseason leaders in numerous categories.
The Kings are No. 1 in defensive rating and No. 5 in offensive rating after opening preseason play with a 105-75 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers and a 126-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Winning preseason games won’t get the Kings back to the playoffs for the first time since 2006, but they have to start somewhere.
For the most part, Brown likes what he has seen, too, but he still believes there are things the Kings can do better as they head into Wednesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center.
“Yeah, there’s a lot,” Brown said following Sunday’s win over the Blazers. “Portland, they know they didn’t play their best game. Chauncey (Billups) is a great coach and that’s a really good team down there with a Hall of Famer in Dame Lillard, but there’s some areas we can still grow in.”
Billups talked about how the Kings “attacked” his team at both ends of the floor, saying they were more physical offensively and defensively. The preseason statistics show just how good Sacramento has been.
The Kings rank second in assists (29.5), third in turnovers (13.5), fourth in 3-point goals (15.0), fifth in 3-point attempts (42.0), ninth in 3-point percentage (.357), and 12th in scoring (115.5 ppg) and field-goal percentage (.453).
The Kings have been even better defensively, an area where they have struggled so much in recent years. They are No. 1 in opponent points per game (84.5) and field-goal percentage (.356); No. 2 in steals (12.5); No. 3 in blocks (7.5), opponent offensive rebounds (7.0) and opponent rebounds (39.0); and No. 4 in opponent 3-point percentage (.288).
These are encouraging numbers for a team that is trying to end an NBA-record 16-year playoff drought, but Brown still points to the problem areas. The Kings rank 27th in free-throw attempts (21.0), 30th in free-throw shooting (.643) and 30th in fouls (29.0).
Brown was asked what he is looking for in Wednesday’s game against the Suns.
“Same stuff,” he said. “We want to compete over all. Offensively, again, it’s paint touches, ball reversals … all those little things. And the same defensively. We want to see guys communicate. Don’t give up middle. No blow-bys. Multiple efforts to finish plays. Being physical without fouling. Both games, we’ve kind of fouled a lot. So, just our same staples on both sides of the ball. That won’t change.”
Rookie forward Keegan Murray and center Richaun Holmes are considered questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Suns. Both players are suffering from non-COVID-19 illnesses.
Murray did not participate in Tuesday morning’s practice and was not expected to travel with the team to Phoenix on Tuesday afternoon. Brown said Murray would be reevaluated Tuesday evening and against Wednesday before a final determination is made.
Murray led the Kings in scoring with 16 points in wins over the Lakers and Blazers. He is shooting a sizzling 70.6% (12 of 17) from the field and 70% (7 of 10) from 3-point range.
Holmes had 10 points and five rebounds against the Lakers before missing three days of practice and Sunday’s game against the Blazers due to a stomach ailment. He returned to practice Tuesday but left before the session ended, saying he didn’t feel well.
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Footprint Center
TV: None
Online: Kings.com (within 75 miles of Sacramento)
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Richaun Holmes (non-COVID illness); Keegan Murray (non-COVID ilness).
Suns: Not yet submitted.
Kings 105, Lakers 75
Kings 126, Trail Blazers 94
10/12 at Phoenix Suns
10/14 vs. Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James has still got it.James closed out the Los Angeles Lakers' final regular-season "road" game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com arena
1st Quarter Report Only three more quarters stand between the Magic and the win they were favored to coll
Jamal Murray will take the court for the Denver Nuggets on Thursday at 10:00 PM ET, versus the Miami Heat.Watch the NBA, other live sports and more on Fubo! Use
The opportunities to get back in the playoff race are getting smaller and smaller. The Brooklyn Nets face the Atlanta Hawks Thursday and again on Saturday at