What: Phoenix Suns (5-3) at Sacramento Kings (5-5)
When: 8:00 PM AZ Time **LATE START, due to daylight savings**
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Watch: Bally Sports AZ
Listen: 98.7 FM
Line: Suns -2.5
The Suns will seek revenge after a heartbreaking game-winner hit by Harrison Barnes to conclude their first meeting a couple of weeks ago.
As tough as that loss was, the good news is they’ll get a chance to redeem themselves against their division opponent with that shot fresh in their minds. Phoenix was in control of that game in the first half, leading by 8 heading into halftime, but the third quarter ended up being their downfall as they were outscored 29 to 15.
This season they’ve shown to be extremely streaky, so hopefully tonight they can avoid a letdown quarter and play a more consistent brand of basketball.
Projected Starters
Suns
- JaVale McGee
- Jae Crowder
- Mikal Bridges
- Devin Booker
- Chris Paul
Kings
- Richaun Holmes
- Harrison Barnes
- Mo Harkless
- Tyrese Haliburton
- De’Aaron Fox
Injury Report
Suns
Deandre Ayton (lower leg) OUT
Deandre Ayton (right leg contusion) is listed as out on the Suns' injury report for tomorrow at the Kings.
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) November 8, 2021
No other new additions. Cam Payne no longer on there.
Kings
N/A
What To Watch For
- Tired legs?
The Kings will be playing the second of a back-to-back after losing a close game to the Indiana Pacers last night. They are a relatively young team so I don’t see it being a major factor, but come crunch time if it’s a close game it could potentially catch up to them. Phoenix should look to take advantage of that and push the pace early and often.
- Guard Play
Both of these teams have strong backcourts that essentially make their team “go”. Fox has been struggling from the field to start the season as he’s shooting a career-low 39% from the field and just 18 percent from the three-point line. His numbers will eventually bump up due to the law of averages, so let’s hope that’s not against Phoenix.
Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Davion Mitchell are also key contributors that the Suns will need to keep in check. Targeting Haliburton defensively and doing all you can to make sure Hield doesn’t get hot are both likely high on the Suns’ game plan. Defending the three-point line, in general, will be very important if they plan on winning this game.
- The Bigs
Richaun Holmes is playing the best basketball of his career right now, averaging 15-11 on an absurd 68% from the floor. Since Deandre Ayton is out, JaVale McGee will need to stay out of foul trouble and match the Holmes minutes if possible.
Frank Kaminsky has been a pleasant surprise this season, so if they can continue to get positive contributions from him that would be a bonus. The Harrison Barnes vs. Jae Crowder matchup will also be an interesting one to follow because if Crowder can’t slow him down I wonder if they opt to try putting Mikal Bridges or Cam Johnson on him.
Prediction
Suns get their revenge by the final score of 113-108.
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