Kings vs. Grizzlies gameday: Odds, injury reports, NBA playoff race and 3 things to watch
The Kings earned their biggest win of the year with a hard-fought 120-111 victory over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
They have a chance to pick up another big win when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday at FedEx Forum.
The Kings (10-12) had lost six of seven to fall to 12th in the Western Conference before beating the Rockets, who were just a half-game out of the No. 1 seed in the West.
The Grizzlies (14-8) and Dallas Mavericks are tied for third in the West, one game behind the Rockets and 2 ½ games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. Memphis had won six in a row before suffering a 121-116 loss to the Mavericks on Tuesday.
The Grizzlies are 10-3 at home. The only teams that have beat them at home are the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets. Zach Edey (left ankle sprain), GG Jackson (right fifth metatarsal repair) and Vince Williams Jr. (right ankle sprain) are out due to injuries.
Here are three things to watch in Thursday’s game.
Scouting Memphis
Memphis has been one of the top teams in the league over the first quarter of the season, offensively and defensively.
The Grizzlies are No. 1 in the NBA in assists (33.0) and No. 2 in scoring (125.2 ppg). They are fourth in point differential (+8.1), field-goal percentage (.504) and offensive rating (116.3). They are also among the top 10 in 3-point attempts, although they rank 19th in 3-point shooting at 34.8%.
Defensively, the Grizzlies are No. 4 in opponent’s field-goal percentage (.442), No. 7 in opponent’s 3-point percentage (.344) and No. 7 in defensive rating (108.9), but they are 18th in opponent points per game (113.3).
Fox vs. Morant
Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox is eighth in the NBA in scoring. He is averaging 27.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.7 steals while shooting 49.2% from the field and 35.5% from 3-point range.
Fox has averaged 21.1 points, 6.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 20 career games against the Grizzlies, shooting 47.5% from the field and 39.1% from beyond the arc.
Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant is averaging 22.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 8.6 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 46.8% from the field and 29.4% from 3-point range. Morant has averaged 20.8 points, 6.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds in 11 career games against the Kings, shooting 46.9% from the field and 23.7% from long distance.
Sacramento connection
Sacramento native and former Folsom High School star Jaylen Wells is having a stellar rookie season for the Grizzlies.
Wells came out of Washington State as the 39th overall pick in the second round of June’s NBA draft. He has appeared in all 22 games with 17 starts, averaging 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists while shooting 45.8% from the field and 38.9% from 3-point range.
Wells was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month for October/November. Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain, another Sacramento-born player, was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month.
Kings at Grizzlies
When: 5 p.m.
Where: FedEx Forum
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Grizzlies -4.5
Over/under: 241.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Devin Carter (shoulder); Trey Lyles (calf).
Grizzlies: OUT — Zach Edey (ankle); GG Jackson (foot); Vince Williams Jr. (ankle).
