Can the Sacramento Kings avoid the sweep against the Suns? Here's how to watch and betting preview.
The Sacramento Kings hold a 14% chance of landing the top pick in the NBA Draft Lottery as of Tuesday.
Will that number increase by losing to the Phoenix Suns? Signs point to the Kings losing big in this Western Conference meeting.
Both teams meet in a rare 8 p.m. showdown out west inside the Golden 1 Center. Phoenix enters as the 9.5-point favorite to topple the Kings per FanDuel Sports Book.
Sacramento did have something unexpected going for itself from the meeting against the Los Angeles Lakers: Nique Clifford.
He dropped 26 points in one of his better performances of the season despite the loss. He believes facing LeBron James and company has allowed him to grow.
"Getting to go against guys like that, you see how consistent they are on a daily basis with their routines and with their play every single night. You're gonna get mostly the same thing every single night. That's something I've got to get to, but going against guys like that has helped me learn and grow," Clifford said after taking the loss.
Sacramento needs that version of Clifford to surpass the Suns. But also a litany of other elements.
DeMar DeRozan will need his own breakout evening. Same with star rookie Maxime Raynaud -- who continues to lead the way on the post and defensive end.
The Kings also have been hit hard with injuries -- with names like Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, even Russell Westbrook dealing with ailments. Although Sabonis and LaVine are the ones who are out for the year alongside De'Andre Hunter with a eye infection ailment.
NBC Sports California will be airing the action for Kings-Suns. But Sacramento continues to look like the proverbial favorite to land the top pick of the NBA Draft lottery -- especially if the Suns end up sweeping the series in this final regular season meeting for both teams.
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