GAME 31 at Cleveland, Preview & Game Thread

by Tom Ziller on Jan 4, 2008 3:11 PM PST in Game Threads

Don't get your hopes up, John Salmons: LeBron James has a sore toe, but it appears he'll play tonight. That always seems to mean the Kings will have trouble beating the Cavaliers.

SACRAMENTO KINGS (12-18) 101.0 ORtg (#18), 104.8 DRtg (#25), 95.9 Pace (#11)
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (15-17) 100.2 ORtg (#21), 104.5 DRtg (#21), 93.9 Pace (#17)
BALLHYPE | NBA.com PREVIEW

Of course, the Kings were missing Ron Artest in November and they almost beat Cleveland. That game was in Sacramento and Kevin Martin dropped 32 points, so... there are some differences.

Things that won't change? The Kings won't get more than a few offensive rebounds, as Cleveland's an elite defensive rebounding team. Sacramento managed seven o-boards in 38 chances in November, a 18% OReb rate. That's about what you'd expect tonight, possibly adjusted if Justin Williams continues to get burn. (?!)

Brad Miller remains a key -- Cleveland's not great on the offensive boards, but they could be against one of the worst defensive rebounding teams in the league. (And yes, they were last time around -- a 35% OReb rate for the Cavs.) If Miller can continue his rebound resurgence, it helps the Kings' chances immensely. These teams should miss plenty of shots, and the team who gets easier buckets (or draws more fouls) should have enough advantage to take the game.

Game's at 4:30. Enjoy, and go Kings.

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woot!

The King versus the Kings, and both are hurting. Irony, no? No? Not really? Anyone... ?

by iashwash on Jan 4, 2008 3:14 PM PST reply actions

The Kings and the King jumps out

Very, very impressive start for the Kings as they lead 29-20 after 1 period to play. Justin Williams has been huge as has Francisco Garcia out to a great start as has Salmons. Can the Kings maintain all of this when Artest, Bibby and Martin get back?

We'll see.

Meanwhile Lebron James has jumped out for a big start.

The Sacramento Kings: Where Amazing Happens!

by kingme18 on Jan 4, 2008 5:13 PM PST reply actions

Our frontline comes out...

The future frontline we all envisioned, 3-Wil and Spencer Hawes.

The Sacramento Kings: Where Amazing Happens!

by kingme18 on Jan 4, 2008 5:14 PM PST reply actions

Gooden blocked by Miller

Thus endeth any trade talk involving Gooden.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 4, 2008 5:23 PM PST reply actions

halftime

Kings shooting 58% at the half, which would usually equal a halftime lead. But the Cavs are +8 at the line. And the Kings haven't made a 3 yet. Beno with 6 assists, but also 3 TOs. Gotta love the 6 assists though. Sake (means salmon in japanese) with 11,5,2 and a steal on 5-7 FG. Dude is raw. 3-Wil with 2 Off. Reb in 4 minutes! Garcia's shooting good at 5-7 FG and 10 pts. Yeah, hopefully these guys can do this when the big heads are back.

by kingsfaninjapan on Jan 4, 2008 5:49 PM PST reply actions

Miller gets Gooden to bite on the up fake

Thus endeth any trade talk involving Gooden.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 4, 2008 6:01 PM PST reply actions

Hate to toot my own horn....

But I've been saying for awhile that the Kings DO NOT want Gooden on our team!!!!!

by Hoops916 on Jan 4, 2008 6:09 PM PST up reply actions

Too Bad Petrie does

All Mike Bibby deals with Cleveland have included Drew Gooden.

The Sacramento Kings: Where Amazing Happens!

by kingme18 on Jan 4, 2008 6:42 PM PST up reply actions

Too bad Petrie Doesnt!!!!

You dont think the Cavs would have already pulled the trigger on a Bibby-Gooden deal had it been offered???? Its apparent GP wants no part of Gooden!

by Hoops916 on Jan 4, 2008 6:54 PM PST up reply actions

It's the surrounding parts

Gooden for Bibby doesn't work. Any Bibby deal with Cleveland will include Drew Gooden. Mark it down right now.

It's the Eric Snow's, the Ira Newbles, the Damon Joneses that Petrie wants absolutely no part of. And you can't blame him there.

The Sacramento Kings: Where Amazing Happens!

by kingme18 on Jan 4, 2008 9:33 PM PST up reply actions

Douby

He looks completely lost out there...

by otis29 on Jan 4, 2008 6:07 PM PST reply actions

Douby is not an NBA player.

How many times have I made this statement Otis.

We are slipping into the NBA abyss.

by jjham15 @ Sactown Royalty on Jan 4, 2008 6:19 PM PST up reply actions

Meaningful minutes for 3-Wil

My nipples are getting hard.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 4, 2008 6:11 PM PST reply actions

3-Wil!!!!!!!!

3-Wil!3-Wil!3-Wil! Coming out party!!!!! He'll now be part of the rotation! Write that down.

by kingsfaninjapan on Jan 4, 2008 6:14 PM PST reply actions

What a performance by Williams.

Williams is making Theus look like a fool.

We are slipping into the NBA abyss.

by jjham15 @ Sactown Royalty on Jan 4, 2008 6:18 PM PST reply actions

Until

He pulled an 0 fer 4 at the free throw line. You are seeing one of the reasons the guy doesn't get any playing time. 3-Wil needs to show the ability to make at least 50% of his free throws if he wants any serious playing time.

Otherwise, why not foul him anytime he gets the ball down low?

by otis29 on Jan 5, 2008 6:35 AM PST up reply actions

Agreed

How about foul 3-Wil even when he does NOT have the ball? It's a quick way to get the ball back. Even with the obvious skills he has, he's a detriment to have on the floor because he shoots worse than a middle school kid. Why doesn't somebody work with the guy? I don't get it. He's pissing off millions because he won't hire a shooting coach!

by KingsFan on Jan 5, 2008 10:46 AM PST up reply actions

Season totals FTs

K9- 0-5
3Will- 1-8

With the other things 3-will brings, you've got to give him K9's minutes

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 5, 2008 1:42 PM PST up reply actions

Small sample size

Career free throw %:

Kenny Thomas - 70%
Justin Williams - 35%

Look, I'm not saying Justin shouldn't be playing, especially in front of KT. But I understand WHY the coaching staff has decided not to play him more. He's gotta get that % up to at least 50, IMO.

by otis29 on Jan 6, 2008 7:25 AM PST up reply actions

thanks for the reminder Jerry.

"You can't win a championship if you can't make free throws." Trust me, we're all well aware of that.

by Muff209 on Jan 4, 2008 6:18 PM PST reply actions

Sac internet radio feed is broken

so am listening to the Cavs feed. OMG, their guy sucks. We've got Beeeno Youdray and Mike Miller on the floor now. Gary is just so much better in every way.

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 4, 2008 6:20 PM PST reply actions

John Salmons

He sure is a good finisher around the basket.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 4, 2008 6:25 PM PST reply actions

ouch

4-18 start to the 4th.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 4, 2008 6:35 PM PST reply actions

Le sigh

This 4th quater collapse (tm) brought to you by Newman Lasik. If the Kings turn the ball over more than 8 times this quarter, you get $50 off any procedure scheduled tomorrow.

by Muff209 on Jan 4, 2008 6:39 PM PST reply actions

TOs

Going into tonight we avg. 13.8 TOs in our 12 wins and 16.9 in our 18 losses. so far tonight? 17 TOs.

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 4, 2008 6:44 PM PST reply actions

Sportsjackets

The new uniform of our starting five. It is amazing to watch us battle like this with Artest, Bibby, Martin and 'Reef in street clothes at the end of the bench.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 4, 2008 6:47 PM PST reply actions

Boobie

Damn it... Boobie hits a big 3 and now its a 97-93

The Sacramento Kings: Where Amazing Happens!

by kingme18 on Jan 4, 2008 6:53 PM PST reply actions

No excuse

There was no excuse for that 3. No man on the Clevand should have been allowed anywhere near the three point line w/o being literally worn by a King's player. It was the only f*cking shot that guarantees a loss.

This team's 4th qtr execution has been terrible the entire season and is really the only strong complaint I have with Theus at this point in his young career. The end of games is when coaching really counts. (Sure, having a superstar helps too ;) Well coached teams simply don't make the sort of mistakes this team does game after game after game in the 4th qtr.

The Kings should have won this game tonight. What a shame to outplay your opponent and then give the game away on TOs and poor 4th qtr execution.

by Kusian on Jan 4, 2008 7:56 PM PST up reply actions

OK, How about a lame excuse?

Hard to win any game, especially on the road with your 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th guy on the floor in crunch time.

Injuries are a part of NBA life but what the Kings are going through right now is extreme, even by their standards. When you have guys with the limited closing experience of Garcia, Udrih and even Salmons, these types of games are going to be the rule, not the exception.

You're dead on right, though, about Theus needing to get better at managing tight games down the stretch. Hopefully coaching is like playing. You need to take your lumps, learn, gain experience and progress.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 4, 2008 9:56 PM PST up reply actions

Not angry at all

What a valiant effort by the Kings tonight. The Kings shot the ball as well as they could but turnovers made the difference.

Good game...

Let's go get 'em in Chicago.

The Sacramento Kings: Where Amazing Happens!

by kingme18 on Jan 4, 2008 6:56 PM PST reply actions

Well

21 turnovers and only 2 steals won't win many games.

by KingsFan on Jan 4, 2008 6:59 PM PST reply actions

4th quarter ooops

I am so disappointed in Garcia. He rarely comes through at the end of games.

by franfran on Jan 4, 2008 9:03 PM PST up reply actions

I know I'm the only one

But I think the close performance of the games means this team will compete. Given that this team needed to dump Artest and Bibby over the summer, this team still has to do that. The fact these guys wont give up is a good sign. So there were mistakes but who cares? Better these mistakes being made now then later.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Jan 5, 2008 3:41 AM PST reply actions