GAME 35 vs Indiana, Preview & Game Thread

by Tom Ziller on Jan 12, 2008 2:35 PM PST in Game Threads

Dramatics aside, we've got another winnable, fast-paced game on our hands.

INDIANA PACERS (16-21) 105.3 ORtg (#18), 107.1 DRtg (#14), 96.9 Pace (# 2)
SACRAMENTO KINGS (14-20) 105.9 ORtg (#16), 109.0 DRtg (#24), 92.1 Pace (#11)
BALLHYPE | NBA.com PREVIEW | INDY CORNROWS

Indy's defense is average, and Indy's offense is average. From the outside, both sides seem fairly inconsistent -- when you rely on both shooting many threes and forcing the opponents to shoot many threes, things tend to get that way. I should note Indiana fouls a ton, with the biggest FTM/FGA against figure in the league. Since the injuries hit, Sacramento hasn't drawn many fouls with John Salmons and occasionally Brad Miller getting the bulk of trips to the stripe. With Kevin Martin back in some function, the FTAs should start to rise again. My buddy at Cornrows notes Indiana doesn't draw many fouls, which could prove to create a big disparity tonight.

Jermaine O'Neal should be playing, and I'd expect Mikki Moore to mark him on the post. For all his lack of heft, Moore's not been regularly embarrassed down low. He's not going to flat-out stop any talented big who makes a concerted effort to pound, but he at least makes it a challenge for the opponent. It's all you can ask, especially considering the last few seasons of terrible post defense.

It will probably come down to which team hits its shots, because they'll all be getting open looks. You know Martin's going to be up and ready to fire, and Francisco Garcia's confidence is at an all-time high. Indy's been struggling; Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy can stroke all day, and Danny Granger's a highly underrated force.

Game's at 7. Go Kings.

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Hard to gauge

This game is a tough one to gauge. Hopefully Martin's return doesn't throw a wrench into everything.

Dunleavy and Murphy are always threats whenever they play. Jamaal Tinseley has played real well this year. We know Jermaine O'Neal too well and Jeff Foster could kill us if he goes on one of those rebounding streaks and grab offensive rebounds after offensive rebounds.

I think this one is a toss up and the Kings can win this one if they execute down the stretch and limit their turnovers.

The Sacramento Kings: Where Amazing Happens!

by kingme18 on Jan 12, 2008 3:17 PM PST reply actions

Beno and Brad and John

With Beno and Brad playing well, this offense is turning into a dream for players at the SG and SF position. You've got a good passing big man and a PG who finds his scorers. I think K-Mart will fit right back in. It's not like he takes a lot of ill advised shots either. He's usually shooting an open jumper or runner, or taking it to the hole and finishing and/or drawing the foul. Ultimately, the decent play of our bigs and the talent and depth of our guards should carry us past this mediocre team. Go Kangs!

And about Salmons, I think he's a threat to get close to a triple double, especially with another scorer like Martin out there with him.

by kingsfaninjapan on Jan 12, 2008 5:49 PM PST reply actions

Props to Reggie There

Reggie knows this roster is guard and small forward centric. We don't have a legit low post guy like Artest.

The Sacramento Kings: Where Amazing Happens!

by kingme18 on Jan 12, 2008 10:38 PM PST up reply actions

One thing I'm glad about...

This time the story IS NOT about Artest vs. Indiana, and having to see the brawl replayed over and over again.

Kings-obsessed. A's obsessed. More ramblings: louisgray.com

by louismg on Jan 12, 2008 6:16 PM PST reply actions

Douby leads them out...

...with Martin right behind him. How long before he reminds us just how good he is?

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 12, 2008 6:51 PM PST reply actions

TOs

5 TOs in the 1st 5 mins. not a good start. down 13-6

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 12, 2008 7:18 PM PST reply actions

Kmart in

with 5:26 to go in the 1st

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 12, 2008 7:23 PM PST reply actions

Yay!!My DSL is finally working!

@ Speed racer is back!Let the energy pickup & the T.O's go down.....
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rhondda

by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 12, 2008 7:25 PM PST reply actions

wow

udrih-martin-garcia-salmons-miller. that's a small lineup, but lots of fire power.

by kingsfaninjapan on Jan 12, 2008 7:26 PM PST reply actions

I don't wanna think I turned a gig tonight....

for nothing, dang it....

by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 12, 2008 7:26 PM PST reply actions

I like the small lineup...speedy!

by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 12, 2008 7:27 PM PST reply actions

I would like

a few less turn-overs... Damn guys what is going on >.<

I can't watch this game since it's on NBA-TV... lame

by dkons21 on Jan 12, 2008 7:29 PM PST reply actions

TOs

11 - 1st Q turnovers. Lucky to only be down 8. 29-21.

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 12, 2008 7:37 PM PST reply actions

damn

11 1st Q TOs! It's one of those situations where you try and be optimistic. 11 TOs but we're only down by 8.

by kingsfaninjapan on Jan 12, 2008 7:38 PM PST reply actions

martin

at the line. it just sounds so natural.

by kingsfaninjapan on Jan 12, 2008 7:40 PM PST reply actions

Kmart for 3!

11 points in 10 mins on 4-4 shooting. Nice.

by Kfan in Korea on Jan 12, 2008 7:50 PM PST reply actions

3s

the kings give up way too many 3s. i'm listening to the game on the radio. are they just not closing out and getting hands in faces, or is indiana just hot.

martin: 15 pts., 5-5 FG, 4-4 FT in 13 minutes! nice!

by kingsfaninjapan on Jan 12, 2008 8:08 PM PST reply actions

Yeah guys

What's the effort level? Grapevine, people... grapevine!

by iashwash on Jan 12, 2008 8:11 PM PST up reply actions

brad

5 1st half TOs!?!?!? and every other starter besides garcia with 2! at the half! it can only get better (i hope).

by kingsfaninjapan on Jan 12, 2008 8:13 PM PST reply actions

Looks like lax defensive rotation....

& they're getting killed in transition...Is it just me or is Jeff Foster really annoying the way he cleans up the garbage at the basket....Nice drive by el flaco to the hole...

Nice last minute shot by K-mart to end the first quarter,Could change momentum after the half.... he looks a little winded 'tho...They are really going to have to step up the trannie defense after the half. & the Pacers are passing really well, not turning the ball over at all hardly; hope they're complacent going in to the 2nd half...

by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 12, 2008 8:24 PM PST reply actions

Looks like lax defensive rotation....

& they're getting killed in transition...Is it just me or is Jeff Foster really annoying the way he cleans up the garbage at the basket....Nice drive by el flaco to the hole...

by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 12, 2008 8:25 PM PST reply actions

Brad is frustrated.

looks like he's trying to hard against his old team...doesn't help that they know his game pretty well, instead of Brad's hands in Indy's face, it's the other way around...hope he gets pissed off enough to change that....

by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 12, 2008 8:28 PM PST reply actions

Brad 's dragged around by his jersey

by 4 indy players in 1 possession yet he gets called for the foul...Brad out & K-mart back in....

by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 12, 2008 8:31 PM PST reply actions

Yes!!!back to a 5 point game...

K-mart to the hole,Indy timeout:64-69.

by Rhondda Nunes on Jan 12, 2008 8:33 PM PST reply actions

wtf?

20 TOs in not even a full 3 quarters and we're down by one. this is why we listen and watch this game...garcia for 3!

by kingsfaninjapan on Jan 12, 2008 8:45 PM PST reply actions

it never fails

the kings chose travis diener for this game as the role player they will make look like an all-star. he's got 19 through 3 quarters. 6-7 FG, 5-5 3 PT FG, 2-2 FT in 16 minutes. i know he's a good shooter, but the dude averages 3 PPG for the season!

by kingsfaninjapan on Jan 12, 2008 8:57 PM PST reply actions

defense

The defense is absolutely awful tonite. I've only been watching since the 2nd half, but is Salmons sick? He has no energy and clearly isn't looking for the ball.

by Kusian on Jan 12, 2008 9:17 PM PST reply actions

YES

He's got the flu

The Sacramento Kings: Where Amazing Happens!

by kingme18 on Jan 12, 2008 10:41 PM PST up reply actions

Plays Well With Others

I just hope that Martin and Salmons both having a good game is not mutually exclusive.

by thelettere on Jan 12, 2008 10:42 PM PST reply actions

Moving this team forward would

probably mandate that statement be true.

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 13, 2008 3:50 AM PST up reply actions

Yeesh

Garcia had 3 assists and 2 turnovers. That made him the only King tonight to have more assists than turnovers.

Martin: 25 points on 9 shots, 10-10 line.

SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!

by section214 on Jan 12, 2008 11:04 PM PST reply actions

yeah, but

As usual with Martin, he didn't make shots with the game on the line. I'd rather have seen Cisco taking the last couple of shots for us.

by Kusian on Jan 13, 2008 3:02 AM PST up reply actions

As usual?

You're kidding, right?

by Tom Ziller on Jan 13, 2008 6:25 AM PST up reply actions

I didn't understand that either

The Kings lost the game by turning the ball over, what, 14 times in the 1st half?

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 13, 2008 11:54 AM PST up reply actions

actually

I should have actually given Kevin props for not disapearing in the final couple of minutes and taking the big shots even though he missed them both and really short-armed the hell out of the first one. Still, he got a couple of decent looks that he normally makes.

I wonder if he gets that chance if Ron Ron and/or Mike is on the floor?

by Kusian on Jan 13, 2008 5:18 PM PST up reply actions

Assists to turnovers?

I never liked this statistic. Why compare two unrelated stats? A better comparison would be turnovers/steals. The Kings were 23/7. The Pacers were 17/14. Heck of a difference in disparity. Miller was an atrocious 6/0, Salmons was 4/0. Tinsley of the Pacers was 1/3.

by KingsFan on Jan 13, 2008 12:06 PM PST up reply actions