A pair of Pacific Division teams looking to get back into playoff contention square off Tuesday night when the Sacramento Kings visit the Phoenix Suns.
The Kings come in off a win against the Warriors Monday night, and they’ll be looking to keep things rolling against a Suns team that has been in a similar position this season, with both teams having 14 wins.
Sacramento has been linked to recent rumors of trading for the Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma, but that would not make a lot of sense. The Kings have enough wings and bigs, with Bogdan Bogdanovic supposedly unhappy, and that would get him out. But if they choose to move him, there would be other moves that would better support the team.
Phoenix, on the other hand, started the season pretty well and has been up and down. The Suns have been starting big men Aron Baynes with DeAndre Ayton together, a move that coming into the season would have been laughable.
But Baynes has played some great ball this year and is making threes as well as any other player in this league. He started a number of games while Ayton was out, and now that Ayton is back, the two of them have been sharing minutes.
Devin Booker is scoring at will, so it is only a matter of time before it turns around for Phoenix.
Phoenix is a 6.5-point favorite Tuesday night, while the over/under is set at 227.5.
Kings Look For Two Straight
After getting the job done Monday night, the Kings will be hoping to pick another victory up. In the absence of Marvin Bagley III, Nemanja Bjelica has stepped up and played well, while Harrison Barnes is finally doing what they paid him the big bucks to do.
This is Buddy Hield’s team, though, and as long as he is making his long shots, the Kings will be fine. Bogdanovic always gives them the lift they need off the bench, while De’Aaron Fox continues to improve as a point guard in this league. The Kings just need all of their top guys thriving at once to get big wins.
Richaun Holmes goes against his old teammate Ayton Tuesday night in the middle, a matchup that will be a fun one to see. If Holmes can hold his own and dominate the boards, the Kings will have a good chance.
Trying To Get Hot
This continues to be all about Booker, who is scoring at will against everybody. Ricky Rubio is thriving here, while Kelly Oubre is continuing to make nothing but positive contributions.
Ayton has not gotten too much action thanks to his failed drug test and other injuries, but he is still a key to any big success the Suns hope to have this year. They will be without Frank Kaminsky for the next month, which may actually keep Dario Saric in the rotation, his confidence dwindling along with his minutes.
There is plenty to be optimistic about here, even with all of the struggles the Suns have faced. Things are certainly looking up, as Booker stays hot.
Suns Get The Home Win
A good day for Phoenix as it gets the W!
Free Play: PHX -6.5
