Sacramento Kings vs. Memphis Grizzlies Game Preview

Who: Sacramento Kings (18-12, 5th in West) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (10-21, 13th in West)

When: Sunday, December 31st, 7 P.M. CST

Where: FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee

How To Watch: Bally Sports South

Sunday will hopefully be a day of needed positivity for the Memphis Grizzlies.

After a tough end to the road trip with back to back losses to the Nuggets and Clippers plus dealing with an illness impacting several members of the roster, there is a good chance the Grizzlies are glad to be home. Fortunately, better health and reinforcements in the form of Luke Kennard and Derrick Rose (potentially) will await as the Grizzlies welcome the Sacramento Kings to close out 2023.

Simply put, this is the start of a massive three game stand for the Grizzlies. Though they are 4-2 since Ja Morant returned nearly two weeks ago, Memphis does not have much room for error even with more than 50 games left on their schedule. In other words, there cannot be too many stretches of three-game losing streaks, which the Grizzlies will try to avoid on Sunday. Furthermore, Memphis has to start improving when it comes to their play on their home court, where Memphis is only 2-11 so far this season.

The big key for the Grizzlies is getting back on track offensively. After scoring 115+ points in Morant’s first four games back, the Grizzlies have scored 106 or less in their past two losses. The return of Rose and Kennard should definitely help on the offensive end. It has been more than six weeks since Kennard last played due to overcoming a bone bruise, and the Grizzlies have definitely missed his production. In the month of December, the Grizzlies are 28th in 3P% in the league. Against one of the better three point shooting teams in the league, Memphis must do well from distance later tonight.

The Kings enter Sunday’s game once again among the best offensive teams in the NBA this season, with plenty of production inside and outside the arc. However, the Kings are just 2-3 over their past five games, and have scored 120+ points only once over that stretch. And yet, with the combination of De’Aaron Fox and Damontas Sabonis, the Kings have one of the best offensive duos in the NBA. The Grizzlies must makes sure both Fox and Sabonis are accounted for on all possessions.

Without a doubt, the Kings will be a formidable foe. However, one way the Grizzlies could find success is referencing the one home game they have played so far since Ja Morant’s return.

Remember Indy

Sure, a strategy to slow down the Kings is not as simple as “just do what you did against the Pacers.” However, Memphis was able to hold Indianapolis to its lowest point total of the season and MVP candidate Tyrese Haliburton to one of his worst games of the season. Memphis also did very well in not consistently allowing the Pacers to get good looks from three, another effort that will be greatly needed tonight against the Kings. Sabonis’s ability to pass and rebound will likely change the defensive strategy a bit for Memphis, but the general idea that worked agains the Pacers can work against Kings. If you can slow down Fox even a bit and prevent a big night from three, Memphis can find a way to win the game.

Fast Start is Essential

Simply put, the Kings are one of the best first quarter teams in the league while the Grizzlies are one of the worst. Combine that with the fact that Memphis is historically bad in the second quarter of games this year and the Kings are 14-0 when they are tied or have the lead at halftime, and it becomes clear a hot start is needed for the Grizzlies. Getting Kennard and Rose back can allow Memphis to have better scoring off its bench, and if the Grizzlies can have any sort of success from three early, it will certainly be a welcome development. The key is not to get into a three-point shoot out with the Kings; the focus is simply having a somewhat consistent offense or better in the first half of the game. Do that, and the Grizzlies will have a chance.

This is a massive home stand for the Grizzlies. It is essential they go 2-1 or better before heading out West once again later this week. If the Grizzlies can get multiple wins over their next three games, they not only get some momentum into 2024, but also double their home win total on the season. It certainly can be done, but will take a much better effort over a full 48 minutes of play to accomplish.