Game Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs Sacramento Kings

When: Monday, March 18th, 9:00 CST

Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA

How to Stream/Watch: Bally Sports Southeast

Memphis’ final west coast road trip of the season stars in SAC-Town

Memphis is starting their last four-game road trip of the season as they take on the Sacramento Kings. Memphis is coming off a competitive 118-112 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. This brought Memphis to a 23-45 record.

Sacramento’s last game was a 98-91 loss at home to the New York Knicks. This brought their record to 38-28 record as they sit sixth in the Western Conference.

Despite Memphis’ loss, the biggest storyline of the game was the return of Desmond Bane after missing 29 games due to a left ankle injury. This was a welcome site to see as Bane returned to the lineup and didn’t seem to miss a step at all.

He was making threes, facilitating the ball, and working downhill like the Desmond Bane we all know and love. Expect more of that in this game as he tries to continue his All-Star-level play. He was able to get quality minutes with players such as Jaren Jackson Jr. and GG Jackson II which will come into play with key matchups in tonight’s game.

Sacramento will present a high-powered offense led by De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, and Damantis Sabonis. The last time these two teams played was on New Year’s Eve of last year as Sacramento blew out Memphis 123-92 in Memphis.

In that game, Sacramento’s trio combined for 64 points as Fox and Monk scored 24 and 27 points respectively as Sabonis filled the stat sheet up with a 13 PTS, 21 RBS, and 12 ASTS triple-double.

Sacramento is eighth in the league in points per game and fourth in three-pointers made per game, so the Grizzlies will have to clamp down defensively while keeping up with the Kings in the scoring column. With Bane back in the lineup I see Memphis having a new level of offensive firepower. This should be a highly competitive and high-scoring affair.

The team that can make the most timely defensive stops will come out on top in this game.

Projected Starting Lineups:

Memphis: John Konchar, Desmond Bane, GG Jackson II, Jaren Jackson Jr., Santi Aldama

Sacramento: De’Aaron Fox, Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, and Domantas Sabonis

Injury Report:

Memphis –

OUT: Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Scotty Pippen Jr., Derrick Rose, Lamar Stevens, Yuta Watanabe, Zaire Williams

DOUBTFUL: Vince Williams Jr.

Sacramento: –

OUT: Trey Lyles, Sasha Vezenkov