NBA Power Rankings week 12: injury fallout, OKC Thunder highs and lows

Sacramento Kings:

Offense: (106.7)  21st
Defense: (109.1) 18th
Net: (minus-2.5) 21st

Games Week 12 (2-1): Won vs Warriors: 111-98, Suns: 114- 103, Lost to Bucks: 106-127
Games Week 13 (3 games): Mon vs. Magic | Weds vs. Mavericks | Sat at Jazz

After weeks of struggle, the Kings had a better performance in week 12 garnering victories versus the injury-depleted Warriors and like minded Suns who are also chasing those bottom two playoff seeds.

The win over the Suns shouldn’t be discounted as both clubs have similar young talents and interests this season.

One key change of note is through most of the season the Kings haven’t been pushing the pace. In last season’s campaign, the Kings ranked third in pace behind only the Hawks and Pelicans. That they rank 27th to this point was partially due to the absence of Fox who missed 17 consecutive games 18 total).

Since Fox returned to the lineup and through the last 14 games the Kings have been running the 14th fastest pace and this is likely to continue. Beyond Fox missing games, presumably, Luke Walton slowed the pace to get the team accustomed to his defensive schemes but at this stage with Fox back and the team needing wins it’s time to utilize their primary advantage which is speed.