The Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder are set to clash on Wednesday at the Paycom Center.
The Thunder bounced back from a three-game losing streak with a crucial road win against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, prevailing 121-118. Aaron Wiggins made a significant contribution, picking up 26 points, 5 assists and 6 steal. Chet Holmgren added 20 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks, while Josh Giddey posted a triple-double with 20 points, 13 assists and 13 rebounds. The Thunder showed efficiency, sinking 51% of their field goal attempts and 18 out of 36 attempts from beyond the arc. Despite letting go of an early 14-point lead, the team managed to secure a win with precise free throws down the stretch.
Currently, the Thunder is sitting comfortably in the 3rd spot in the NBA's Western Conference standings, trailing only one game behind the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets. The upcoming match against the Sacramento Kings presents them with an opportunity to solidify their standing. The team has demonstrated its resilience, even in the face of injury to one of their key players, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who remains questionable for the upcoming games due to injury. With an average of 38 points in recent matchups against the Kings, Gilgeous-Alexander plays a crucial role in the team. However, the Thunder has previously shown that they can still prevail even when key players are missing on the court.
The Kings are in good form, winning 7 out of their last 12 games, and enter in high spirits after a convincing win against the Brooklyn Nets, pulling through with a 107-77 road triumph. De'Aaron Fox made a significant contribution with 20 points, while Keegan Murray added 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks. Domantas Sabonis also impressed with 18 points, 20 rebounds and 9 assists. The Kings displayed a strong defensive game, restricting the Nets to 40 points in the first half and dominating the 4th quarter with a score of 29-13. This success has fortified the Kings' playoff push as they hold the 8th spot in the Western conference, trailing just one game behind Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans.
For Sacramento, every remaining regular season game is of immense significance. Sabonis, a team leader, continues to demonstrate outstanding performance, achieving the rare feat of 61 consecutive double-doubles and compiling impressive averages against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Coach Mike Brown holds him in high esteem, considering him a potential MVP candidate and a spot in the All-NBA teams. Ahead of their last regular season road game against the Thunder, the Kings are not only aiming for a win over their direct opponent, but also looking to bolster their chances of advancing in the league standings, affirming their aspiration for success this season.
The Kings will still be without Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter, while the Thunder side will miss Gordon Hayward, with the participation of Jalen Williams remaining uncertain. The Kings are approaching the forthcoming encounter in good spirits after a hefty 30-point victory over the Nets in their latest encounter. On the flip side, the Thunder are entering the match after a slightly shaky success against the Hornets in their last outing. The likely return of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would give a significant boost to the Thunder, hence I'm expecting a thrilling contest with total points scored going over.
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