The Sacramento Kings face trade turmoil and a streaking Memphis Grizzlies squad, who are on a three-game road winning streak. The question is whether the Kings can find some magic at the Golden 1 Center after recent losses.
Imagine if the Sacramento Kings’ starting five for Sunday night’s 9:00 p.m. (ET) tip-off vs. the Memphis Grizzlies (8-12) at Golden 1 Center decided to walk onto the hardwood wearing t-shirts advertising the fact that they are available on the trading block.
Chances are no one would flinch because the Kings (5-15), with general manager Scott Perry already chatting up potential NBA trade partners for anyone except Keegan Murray. Perry is even looking to package often-injured star center Domanas Sabonis (partially torn left knee meniscus).
The Kings are coming off of a 127-119 loss at Utah on Friday night, and are likely to reside near the bottom of the Western Conference for quite a while longer.
While a frustrated Sabonis will have his left knee re-evaluated in about a month, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine all remain on the trading block.
The Kings have immediate business to tend to as home ‘dogs to the Grizzlies, (-3.5) point spread favorites and (-158) on the money line.
The over/under total is 232.5 points.
Sacramento, which failed to cover the point spread as short underdogs vs. the Jazz, is 2-8 in their last 10 games and 7-12-1 overall against the spread.
The Kings have seven wins against the spread in 20 games, while Memphis, led by Jaren Jackson Jr. (18.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game), has covered the spread eight times this season.
Additionally, Sacramento is 5-3-1 against the spread and 4-5 overall when scoring more than 113 points — after Friday night’s loss.
Ironically, the Kings have been shredded on the defensive side of the basketball in their last two games after limiting the high-octane Timberwolves to 112 points earlier this week, in a game that included a five-minute overtime session.
The Grizzlies, 10th in the Western Conference and on a three-game winning streak on the road, are 7-6 against conference opponents for the season, including a 137-96 win over the Kings, Nov. 21.
The Kings, 4-13 vs. the Western Conference this season, are averaging 108.7 points per game with DeMar DeRozan, who has tailed off in his last two games after scoring 33 points in Sacramento’s win over Minnesota on Monday, averaging 18.2 points per game, heading into the Sunday night game.
Aside from Sabonis, guard Dennis Schroder (hip) is listed on the injury report as day-to-day, while Morant (calf), Scottie Pippin Jr. (toe), Javon Small (toe), Brandon Clarke (knee) and Ty Jerome (calf) are all out for the Grizzlies.
Finding a betting edge or side in this spot is close to impossible as the Kings, back home, after a short trip out to Salt Lake City, are sinking in turmoil with LaVine, involved in a fan altercation recently, at the forefront of all the Sacraments discord.
“I could care less.” LaVine said. “If somebody talks slick to your bench or to your coaches or your players, I’m going to say something. I could care less. He’s irrelevant to me. He’s valued with his opinion and he’s a passionate fan. I respect that, but also you’re not just going to talk that way to people, so if that’s the case I’d do that s*** again.”
The Grizzlies are weighing their options with talented, but volatile star Ja Morant.
But the fact that this is a late tip-off on Sunday night, following a bunch of college basketball and pro football betting action, leads one to believe that the Grizzlies and Kings are going to score points.
Maybe, even Russell Westbrook, shooting 39.1% from three-point land, in addition to averaging over two triples made per game, will heat up.
(Please check out some of your favorite sports books for all updated NBA odds and betting information. And as always, bet responsibly and within your set budget. )