Kings vs. Mavericks: Is Sacramento’s defense for real? Injury updates and scouting reports
The Kings and Dallas Mavericks find themselves tied for the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference playoff race as they prepare to play a critical two-game set in Sacramento with 11 games remaining in the regular season.
The Kings will play the Mavericks on Tuesday and Friday at Golden 1 Center with major playoff implications for both teams. Both teams will be on the second night of a back-to-back after winning Monday to move a half-game ahead of the Phoenix Suns for the final automatic playoff berth in the West.
The Kings (42-29) are coming off a 108-96 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers after taking their defense to another level in recent weeks. Domantas Sabonis recorded his 54th consecutive double-double to break Kevin Love’s record for the longest single-season streak since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. The Kings are No. 2 in the NBA in defensive rating (106.3) over the past 10 games after holding four of their last eight opponents under 100 points.
The Mavericks (42-29) are coming to Sacramento after beating the Utah Jazz 115-105 on Monday in Salt Lake City. Luka Doncic had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists. The Mavericks have won four in a row and eight of their last nine.
The Kings played the Mavericks twice in Dallas earlier this season. The Kings beat the Mavericks 129-113 on Nov. 19 and 120-115 on Jan. 27.
Scouting Sacramento
De’Aaron Fox is averaging 26.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.0 steals for Sacramento. He has 59 steals over the past 23 games, an average of 2.57 per game.
Sabonis averages 19.8 points, 13.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists. He leads the league in rebounding, double-doubles (67) and triple-doubles (25). He is the fifth player in NBA history with 25 or more triple-doubles in a season, joining Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokic.
The Kings also rely on Malik Monk, Keegan Murray and Harrison Barnes. Monk averages 15.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Murray is putting up 14.9 points and 5.4 rebounds. Barnes averages 12.3 points while shooting 48.2% from the field and 39.6% from 3-point range.
Sacramento’s depth is being tested with Kevin Huerter (shoulder), Trey Lyles (knee) and Sasha Vezenkov (ankle) out due to injuries. Vezenkov is nearing a return after missing over six weeks with a grade-3 right ankle sprain.
Scouting Dallas
The Mavericks are led by Doncic, who is averaging 34.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 9.8 assists. Doncic is shooting 48.6% from the field and 37.3% from 3-point range on 10.4 attempts per game.
Kyrie Irving averages 25.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists. He is shooting 49% from the field and 40.5% from beyond the arc.
Tim Hardaway Jr. has been outstanding off the bench for Dallas. He is averaging 15.3 points and 3.3 rebounds while hitting 35.8% from long distance. Daniel Gafford (11.9 points, 7.6 rebounds) and P.J. Washington (10.5 points, 5.6 rebounds) are also playing key roles for Dallas.
Injury status updates
The Mavericks are listing Doncic (Achilles) and Maxi Kleber (knee) as questionable for Tuesday’s game against the Kings.
The Kings are again listing Sasha Vezenkov as questionable as he nears a return from a grade-3 right anklee sprain.
Mavericks at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: TNT
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -1.5
Over/under: 233.5
Injury report
Mavericks: QUESTIONABLE — Luka Doncic (Achilles); Maxi Kleber (knee). OUT — Greg Brown III (G League); Alex Fudge (G League); Josh Green (ankle); Olivier-Maxence Prosper (G League); Brandon Williams (G League
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Sasha Vezenkov (ankle). OUT — Jordan Ford (G League); Kevin Huerter (shoulder); Trey Lyles (knee).
Upcoming schedule
March 26 vs. Dallas Mavericks
March 29 vs. Dallas Mavericks
March 31 vs. Utah Jazz
April 2 vs. Los Angeles Clippers
April 4 at New York Knicks
