Who's Playing
Matchup: Golden State Warriors vs Sacramento Kings
Records: Warriors (25-14), Kings (19-19)
Where to Watch
Date: Sunday, Jan. 6
Time: 8:30 AM IST
TV: Sony Ten1 & Sony ESPN
Location: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Game Preview
The Sacramento Kings have shown a lot of improvement this season. In fact, if it wasn't for their current three-game losing streak, they have spent a majority of this season above .500, something the franchise has failed to achieve so deep into a season since 2004.
De'Aaron Fox playing like the league's best sophomore combined with the improved play of Buddy Hield and Willie Cauley-Stein has spurred the franchise along to its start in over a decade.
Going by the numbers, Sacramento is easily the most improved team this season. Just have a look:
| Last Season | 2018-19 season | |
| Point per game | 98.8 (30th) | 115.0 (5th) |
| Field Goal % | 45.0% (22nd) | 47.0% (9th) |
| Fast Break points | 10.4 (20th) | 22.3 (1st) |
| Points in the Paint | 43.5 (22nd) | 52.4 (5th) |
| Points off turnovers | 15.2 (24th) | 20.7 (2nd) |
| Pace | 95.59 (30th) | 105.05 (2nd) |
The numbers speak for themselves.
The young team have a chance to re-capture a lot of lost momentum, playing five of their next six games at home before a monster 6-game in 10 nights road trip.
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This northern California clash has never been really a rivalry, especially since the Warriors dominanc began once Steve Kerr took over as the head coach. Since the beginning of the 2014-15 season, the Warriors are 14-3 against the Kings and 8-1 on Sacramento's home floor.
But it's been slightly different this season. Yes, Golden State has won two in two against Sacramento but it's only been by a combined points margin of six points. The young Kings have clearly made the reigning champs work for their wins unlike in previous seasons.
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This should be a really good taste for the Warriors who will be playing plenty of road games through the rest of January (eight of eleven remaining games) after closing December playing eight of the last twelve at home at the Oracle Arena.
Game Notes
- The Sacramento Kings have exactly played half of their games at home and on the road. Through their previous 19 games at the Golden 1 Center, they have gone 10-9.
- By their standards, the Warriors have quite a poor road record of 10-8. It must be remembered, however, that it is an extremely competitive Conference as their away record is third-best in the West.
- Other than their rookie Marvin Bagley III (Knee) being a game-time decision, Sacramento has no other players on the injured list.
- For the two-time defending champs, they would be guaranteed to miss their two backup centers - DeMarcus Cousins (Achilles) and Damian Jones (Pectoral).
Last Time They Played
Date: Dec. 15, 2018
Score: Warriors 130-125 Kings
Warriors: Stephen Curry - 35 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals.
Kings: De'Aaron Fox - 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals.
