Breaking down the remaining games on the Sacramento Kings schedule

Yash Matange

Breaking down the remaining games on the Sacramento Kings schedule image

With a record of 30-27, the Sacramento Kings are in a strong position to contend for a Playoff spot for the first time in 12 years, the league's longest active Playoff drought. 

The Kings are by far the most improved team in the league this season:

  2018-19 season Last season
Pace 104.1 (2nd) 95.59 (30th)
Points per game 113.4 (9th) 98.8 (30th)
Fastbreak points 21.6 (1st) 10.4 (20th)
Points in the paint 51.1 (7th) 43.5 (22nd)
Points off turnovers 20.3 (2nd) 15.2 (24th)
Field goal % 46.6% (12th) 45.0 (22nd)

The numbers speak for themselves. 

Remaining Games

The Kings have 25 games left with only 11 of them at home at the Golden 1 Center. 

They tip-off their post-All-Star game schedule with a three-game road trip - @ Golden State, @ Oklahoma City and @ Minnesota. 

After this short trip, the young Kings still have two road trips of at least four games each left on their schedule. 

Coming to back-to-backs, they feature four times on the team's remaining schedule with the toughest being in the middle of March to wrap up their four-game East road trip - Mar. 15 @ Boston, Mar. 16 @ Philadelphia. 

Strength of schedule

As per Tankathon, the Kings' remaining opponents have a combined record of 48.5%, which is 10th easiest by record in the league. 

The team has both games remaining against Boston and still has one game remaining against the top tier of the West in the Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder. The league's best team in the Milwaukee Bucks are also due on their schedule. 

Among their easiest games by projection, the Kings have both games against the New York Knicks remaining. They also have one game remaining against the Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Key Games

Friday, Feb. 22 @ Golden State 

The Kings have been playing the Warriors competitive all season. Unlike the previous three games, they would be looking to upset them this time. 

Thursday, Feb. 28 vs Milwaukee Bucks

As the host the league's best team, the Bucks and Kings combine for the "Team Up for Change" initiative. 

Saturday, Mar. 9 @ New York

The team begins a four-game road trip at the Madison Square Garden. No better place than the MSG to show the rest of the league that you are legitimate. 

Saturday, Mar. 16 @ Philadelphia

The team wraps up this road trip in Philadelphia. They have a chance to sweep the season series with the 76ers but it comes on the second night of a back-to-back. 

Monday, Mar. 25 @ Los Angeles Lakers

With both teams contesting for the Playoffs, it would be key for the Kings to tie up the season series and force it to go into a tiebreaker situation. 

Monday, Apr. 1 @ San Antonio

The Kings have a chance to sweep the season series with the Spurs but yet again, it comes on the second night of a back-to-back. In addition, this season series sweep would be key given how close the Spurs and Kings are around the last few Playoffs spots in the West. 

 

 

Yash Matange

Yash Matange Photo