OKC Thunder vs. Sacramento Kings, 2019-20 team preview
Contract Situation by category:
Guaranteed: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Yogi Ferrell, De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Marvin Bagley, Harrison Barnes, Nemanja Bjelica, Caleb Swanigan, Harry Giles III, Cory Joseph, Trevor Ariza, Justin James, Richaun Holmes, Dewayne Dedmon
Non/Partial Guaranteed: Tyler Lydon, Tyler Ulis
Two-Way Contracts: Wenyen Gabriel | Kyle Guy
Unsigned or on Exhibit 10: Eric Mika | Isaiah Pineiro
Unsigned 2019 Picks: Vanja Marinkovic
Thunder performance vs. Kings in 2018-19
Every time a player cited Russell Westbrook as their favorite player and they themselves are a point guard it should have offered the harbinger of things to come. As such the Kings took three out of four games last year with De’Aaron Fox showcasing his overall speed and prowess.
October 21, 2018, OKC Thunder versus Sacramento Kings, Loss: 120 – 131
Iman Shumpert 26 points, Russell Westbrook 32 points
November 19, 2018, OKC Thunder at Sacramento Kings, Loss: 113 – 117
Buddy Hield 25 points, Russell Westbrook 29 points
December 19, 2018, OKC Thunder at Sacramento Kings, Win: 132 – 113
Buddy Hield 37 points, Paul George 43 points
February 23, 2019, OKC Thunder versus Sacramento Kings, Loss:116 – 119
Buddy Hield 34 points, Russell Westbrook 41 points
Kings Games versus OKC Thunder in 2019-20:
Away Game: Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at 10:00 p.m. EST
Away Game: Wednesday, January 29, 2019, at 10:00 p.m. EST
Home Game: Thursday, February 27, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. EST
Marquee matchup: De’Aaron Fox versus Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
What to expect in the three matches versus Kings this season:
The OKC Thunder better have the transition and perimeter defense fully locked in for these matches because this Kings squad comes at you in waves but is equally adept at hitting from behind the arc.
The wings on the Kings are no joke with any of Barnes, Hield, Bogdanovic and even Fox capable of flying down the wings and either driving to the bucket, passing out to an open 3-point shooter or pulling up themselves. They still haven’t quite figured out all the nuances but Fox who is the primary ballhandler improved in his sophomore and seems on track to take another leap.
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- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
What separated the Kings from many of the team with speedsters is the number of players who can create their own shot and also create for others.
Defensively this team struggled a season ago and didn’t utilize their youthful assets aggressively enough to force turnovers. The combination of defensive vets should help in that regard this season as well as Head Coach Luke Walton who’ll put a precedent on defense being the priority.
This Kings team reminds me a lot of the early Thunder who had so much raw talent and clearly were having fun on the hardwood. The moment is coming whether this season or next when suddenly everything clicks and then watch out.
Last season the Kings had OKC’s number taking three out of four games but this is a very different team than they faced last year. If the Thunder wings can stay active it would behoove them to also be flying down the sidelines in order to facilitate scoring options.
The Thunder only get three meetings versus the Kings with two in Sacramento. Two come before the trade deadline. Each team will take one I’m just not sure who gets the pivotal tie break game. My heart says OKC and my head says Sacramento.
Next. Roundtable: Thunder lineups, rotations and reserve units. dark
If I had more faith Billy Donovan would utilize players like Deonte Burton more or keep Bazley out on the court to play through mistakes I’d pick the Thunder, but sadly until I see Billy D fully commit to this practices I’m leaning the Kings way.