Kings-Raptors gameday live: Sacramento’s slumping 3-point shooting; Anunoby injury update
Kings coach Mike Brown was asked about his team’s 3-point shooting and shot selection following a 123-103 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.
Brown didn’t have a problem with the Kings’ shot selection, but he said their shooting must improve in order to close out a tough road trip with wins over the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons.
The Kings (14-12) will play the Raptors (13-14) in the fifth game of a six-game road trip Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The Kings picked up a big win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, but they’ve dropped three of their first four on this trip and six of 10 dating back to Nov. 23.
Sacramento’s shooting has dipped significantly over that stretch. The Kings rank sixth in the NBA in average 3-point goals (13.3) and 3-point attempts (37.5), and 16th in 3-point percentage (.355).
However, over the first four games of this road trip, they are 24th in 3-point percentage at 31.6%. Over their last 10 games, they are 27th at 31.9%. During that 10-game span, Kevin Huerter (.246), De’Aaron Fox (.262), Davion Mitchell (.273), Harrison Barnes (.308), Malik Monk (.317) and Trey Lyles (.308) have all struggled.
Brown said this road trip — with games against the Milwaukee Bucks, Cavaliers, New York Knicks, 76ers and Raptors — is showing his team what it takes to win tough games against stiff competition. In Tuesday’s loss to the 76ers, Fox, Huerter, Barnes and Keegan Murray went a combined 4 of 22 from beyond the arc.
“I thought we took our normal 3s,” Brown said. “This is a great test for us. This is the longest road trip we’ve had. We’re facing some good teams, and I like it from the standpoint that it’s not going to be easy.
“Can we still make shots when it’s not easy? Obviously, we’re seeing that we can’t right now. Hopefully, we can (in) these last two games, because if we don’t make shots, and we play the way we played defensively, like we did tonight and even the night before, it’s a double-edged sword. You’re going to get beat, especially by the better teams on their floor.”
Raptors injuries
The Raptors will be missing one of their top starters and a key reserve Wednesday.
Starting small forward O.G. Anunoby has been ruled out due to a left hip strain. Precious Achiuwa is out with a right ankle sprain.
Anunoby, Toronto’s second-leading scorer behind Pascal Siakam, is averaging 19.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.4 steals. He missed his first game of the season in Sunday’s 111-99 loss to the Orlando Magic and is expected to be out for at least a week.
Achiuwa averages 8.8 points and 7.0 rebounds in 20.4 minutes per game off the bench. He is still weeks away from a return.
Status updates
Huerter is listed as questionable against the Raptors due to left ankle soreness.
Alex Len is out again after missing the past two games due to a non-COVID-19 illness, although his designation on the injury report has changed to “not with team.”
Kings at Raptors
When: 4:30 p.m.
Where: Scotiabank Arena
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Raptors -5 .5
Over/under: 227.5
Injury report
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Kevin Huerter (ankle). OUT — Alex Len (not with team); Chima Moneke (G League).
Raptors: QUESTIONABLE — Juancho Hernangomez (ankle). OUT — Precious Achiuwa (ankle); O.G. Anunoby (hip); Justin Champagnie (G League); Jeff Dowtin Jr. (G League); Ron Harper Jr. (G League); Otto Porter Jr. (foot).
Upcoming schedule
Dec. 14 at Toronto Raptors
Dec. 16 at Detroit Pistons
Dec. 19 vs. Charlotte Hornets
Dec. 21 vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Dec. 23 vs. Washington Wizards
This story was originally published December 14, 2022 at 4:00 AM.
