Seattle vs Sacramento Details: Who: (22-22) vs (32-12) Where: Key Arena When: Saturday, Jan 31st, 7pm TV: KONG, NBALP Projected Lineups: PG: Antonio Daniels/Luke Ridnour SG: Ray Allen/Ronald Murray SF: Rashard Lewis/Vladimir Radmanovic PF: Calvin BoothVladimir Radmanovic/Reggie Evans C: Vitaly PotapenkoJerome James/Calvin Booth Coached by Nate McMillan PG: Mike Bibby/Bobby Jackson SG: Doug Christie/Anthony Peeler SF: Peja Stojakovic/Gerald Wallace PF: Brad Miller/Darius Songalia/Lawrence Funderburke C: Vlade Divac/Brad Miller/Jabari Smith Coached by Rick Adelman Injury List: Nick Collison: shoulder, season. Brent Barry: broken finger, on IL. Richie Frahm: right knee tendinitis, on IL. Injury List Chris Webber: left knee rehabilitation, on IL. Analysis: With the season series locked at a game apiece, Seattle come home from the Lakers after two consecutive losses, including a heartbreaking final second defeat to Dallas. They currently stand at 22-22, and will be keen to avoid slipping under .500 for the first time since they were 12-13 after a win at Denver on December 20. Sacramento on the other hand come in after an inspiring victory in San Antonio, and they share the league's best record with Minnesota. Star forward Peja Stojakovic (third in the league at 25.1 ppg) and offseason aquisition Brad Miller both look set to be named All-Star reserves, and will look to end January by showing why. Last Time Just a few days after going to Sacramento and losing by 30, the Sonics reversed things at home on the 7th of January with a 104-93 win, the score being closer than the game was. Seattle restricted dangerman Peja Stojakovic to only 19 points on 5-14 shooting, while Ray Allen went close to a triple double with a team high 22 points, with seven rebounds and nine assists. They key to this win however was the boost Nate McMillan got from his bench, something that will be vital again in this one. Antonio Daniels posted 19, five and five, while Ronald Murray had 15 and Reggie Evans grabbed 12 boards, all off the pine. In contrast, Bobby Jackson was the only King reserve with over six points, having 13 in 28 minutes. [quoteright]"Coming off the bench is a very important position that some players don't realize. It's not a glamour position, because you don't hear your name called during the introductions, but you can make a difference in the outcome of the game." - Nate McMillan on his recent benching of Vladimir Radmanovic and Jerome James.[/QUOTERIGHT] Key Factors: - Play the transition game. Last time, Seattle dominated the Kings all game just by running and running. This meant Sacramento couldn't play their natural game, because the Sonics were off on the break in a flash every trip down the floor, and guys like Mike Bibby, Brad Miller and Peja Stojakovic extracted a lot of energy on the defensive end. - Pressure the passer. The key to the Kings' game is their strong passing, and give any of their players room and you can expect an easy basket to follow. Double teaming Miller and Divac inside may be risky, but the pressure needs to be put on or they will find cutters for the score time after time. This may force the Sonics to give up open shots from time to time, but as long as they don't leave Peja open then this may be the best way to go. - Knock down their shots. Well duh, you say, but this simple cliche holds a lot of meaning against a team like the Sacramento. They will give you open looks, and it's up to Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and co. to make the most of these opportunities. Like Dallas, the Kings will score, but they will give you more chances to score than other teams, too. Key Matchup: Rashard Lewis vs Peja Stojakovic Peja is the purest scorer in the league, bar no one, and containing him is the key to beating this Kings outfit. If you can't contain him, which is very often, then the next best thing is to match his offensive output. Lewis is coming off two strong games against Dallas and the Lakers, and will look to continue his run as he goes head to head with Stojakovic, who is at a point where you can pencil in 25 points for him before the game starts. Lewis has the advantage in athleticism and speed, and needs to use this to his advantage and look to get to the basket, hopefully getting to the line and Peja into early foul trouble. Stojakovic can and will beat you by shooting; Lewis will need to accept that Peja will make some shots, but getting a hand in his face and making it harder for him is the key. X-Factors: Vladimir Radmanovic - relegated to the bench as Nate McMillan experiments with his line-ups, has not taken well to the change. Seattle need his brand of offense to fire if they want to match the offensively brilliant Kings in this one. Bobby Jackson - The best back-up point guard in the league, barring nobody. Jackson is electric when he gets into a groove, and without Barry he'll look to cause misery for a weakened Sonic backcourt. <font size="1">Player photos and logo images courtesy of NBA.com </font>
Nice preview Des, really sums up the way the game will probably go. I'm just happy to see that AD is starting, poor Barry though, he's needed, he's an instant scorer. Hopefully Lewis will be playing at his best tonight, it'll be needed, especially since you're facing one of the best chemistry teams in the league, the Kings. I believe it'll be a tough game, I think Allen and Miller will play very well though and Jackson. He's the better spark. I think the Sonics can take them, and I want them to win, but I think the Kings take this one in a close firefight by 5.
Nooo! You beat me to it. Oh well - I'll take Sacremento by a dime. Before beating San Antonio, they pulled out out in Houston, winning back to back games with the two best defensive teams in the league. If this game breaks 95 (or maybe when is a better word...) then the Sonics' chances are winning this one will be slim to none.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post"> If this game breaks 95 (or maybe when is a better word...) then the Sonics' chances are winning this one will be slim to none.</div> I agree. I expect Ray Allen to have a big night but still get outshone by Peja and Bibby. Expect Miller and Divac to torment whoever the Sonics put on them down low. I'm going with the Kings on a blowout of 15+.
Great game this, wasn't decided until basically the final buzzer. Lewis shouldn't have fouled Peja late and Allen's potential game tying three rimmed out, luck isn't going with Seattle at the moment. Full credit to the Kings who played a great game, especially Brad Miller. Monster game from AD though: 30, seven and 11.
