The Hornets head to Sacramento tonight to take on the suddenly red-hot Kings. I say that only half-jokingly because Sacramento actually appears to be playing their best ball of the year, even though they are only 2-5 in their last 7 games. Their two wins, however came at Portland and at LA, as they defeated the Lakers last night 100-95. On top of that, each of the five losses were extremely close and Sacramento could have easily walked away with a victory in any of those games.
They had a 5 point loss to Charlotte, had back-to-back overtime losses to Portland and Golden State, a 2 point loss to Atlanta, and a 4 point loss to Detroit. 2-5, but over those seven games the point differential is only -2. Bottom line is that for the past two weeks this team has been in every contest and they have even shown the ability to surprise playoff caliber teams. Don’t sleep on the Kings.
No single player has been carrying Sacramento through this stretch, instead it seems like somebody new is stepping up every night. Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins show up on a nightly basis, but that third and fourth guy seems to change game in and game out. Last night Omri Casspi and Samuel Dalembert combined for 36 points and 13 rebounds. The game before Landry led the team in scoring. Against Portland, Beno Udrih provided a spark, and so on. The reason Sacramento only has 11 wins this season is because they don’t have consistent players who they can count on night in and night out, but that also makes them dangerous- as they have multiple guys who can go off on any given night.
When the Hornets Have the Ball
The Hornets have played the Kings twice already this year and are only averaging 84.5 points against them on 38% shooting, so obviously they have yet to figure out exactly how they would like to attack this Kings defense. What doesn’t seem to work is attacking Dalembert when he is protecting the rim, as he has 6 blocks in the two contest, but he has probably changed close to two dozen other shots in the 50 minutes he was on the court.
Nothing was working for the Hornets in the first matchup at ARCO until the Hornets found a way to get David West open on two consecutive pick and pops that he drained late in the game to seal the victory. That game took place right after the Peja/Jack swap, leaving the Hornets with no true backup point and the backcourt foursome of Paul, Green, Thornton, and Belly responded by going 8-36 in that game. They had as many turnovers as made field goals. Ugly.
The second game was a tale of two halves that saw the Hornets go down by as many as 23, before Marcus Thornton helped lead a remarkable comeback that had the arena going crazy. Even in that game, however, there was nothing that the Hornets could walk away with when it comes to having found a way to attack this defense. Chris Paul had 22, but 12 of those came from the line. David West was 5-14, Ariza was held scoreless, and Bellineli was only 3-9.
In both games the half court offense was extremely ineffective and the Hornets only looked good when they got out in transition against this Kings team. The Kings have length at multiple positions and that really gives the Hornets trouble if they are not hitting from the outside. Evans and Udrih both make it hard for CP3 to get into the lane, Thompson, Landry, Dalembert, and even Casspi all can do a solid job on D West, and Greene has been all over Ariza in both match-ups.
The Hornets have to look for every chance to run and when they get into half court sets they have to be patient. This team is still a young team and are therefore prone to missed rotations and stupid fouls. Cousins, Dalembert, and Thompson all bailed the Hornets out several times in the last meeting, picking up bad fouls that sent New Orleans to the line, where they had a 15 point advantage in the last contest. Both teams are playing better since the last meeting, but for the Hornets to win this one tonight, they will have to run and they must get free points at the line.
When the Kings have the Ball
Say what you will about Marco’s offense in the previous two match-ups, but his defense on Tyreke Evans has been superb. In the first matchup CP3 was matched up with the physical failing Luther Head and in game two he was on Udrih most of the game, as Monty seemed to favor Marco’s size going against last year’s ROY. So far this season, Tyreke is shooting just 6 of 17 when Belinelli is defending him with 5 turnovers and just 4 assists.
CP3, on the other hand, has gotten burned in the two games against the Kings, as he tends to leave his guy more than usual to look for steal opportunities. Head went 4-4, including 3-3 from distance in game one and Udrih had one of his best games of the year, scoring 20 points on 9-15 shooting in game two. In both games, CP3 locked up late in the game, but he has to know not to give these players can knock down open looks. CP3 is used to going against “name guys” every night at the point guard position, and you can argue that it is human nature to take someone like Udrih for granted when you are used to battling Westbrook and Parker and Nash and Rose and Rondo, etc on a nightly basis, but unless the Hornets want to fall behind again against this team he just can’t do that.
West has actually done a really good job on Landry and Thompson, but the truth is that when Cousins is on his game, the Hornets just don’t have an answer for him. There were stretches in the last game where he was just making Okafor look stupid out there, and that is no slight to Emeka, as Cousins can do that to the best of front lines- as he showed by going for 27 points in just 32 minutes against the Lakers three-headed monster last night. If Cousins gets going, he will demand a double team, and if that happens the Hornets rotations need to be crisp to prevent guys like Casspi and Greene from getting hot.
Other News and Notes:
– Hornets are going for their 11th straight win, which would set a franchise record.
– Normally teams look forward to long home stands, but I don’t think that is the case for Sacramento, as they start out this 6 game stretch with the hottest team in the league, followed by: Boston, Dallas, Utah, San Antonio, and OKC. Ouch!
-Â Vegas Zone: Hornets are 6 point favorites in this game, with the over/under set at 186.5. I say Kings are in for a let down game after celebrating like the won the title last night in LA, and Monty beats it into the players head that Sacto can beat anyone. I am taking the Hornets and the under. Hornets 97 Kings 87.
– And yes, it is that time again to Caption This Pic – top 3 will be named in the post game write-up with the prize being a chance to explore your creative capabilities and respect from the entire Hornets community! Oh, and P.S.- that’s DeMarcus Cousins just in case you were unsure of which player on this unstable Kings roster would rock a pink backpack with so much pride.
150 responses to “Game On: Hornets @ Kings”
Good read, Ive tellin people the same thing about how the kings arent push overs. They just have a problem closing the games out which they did last night, but the lakers were not clickin on all cylinders. There whole schedule is riddle with under 10 point losses and some really close losses. We should move this streak to 11 wth little problem though the kings arent to be taken too lightly
Sactown kind of scares me. The last meetings were way too close for comfort. Nevertheless, this game is winable and with the right mindset the W should be ours. I will have a closer look at Dalembert. He intrigues me very much as backup for Okafor and according to recent news would be available for expiring contracts. The hornets could give the Kings just that and with him coming in for Mek the second unit could be scary.
Trey really had problems adjusting adter Ricky was shot
Who are Trey and Ricky? (Maybe I’m just not a big enough NBA fan…)
I’m sure your NBA fandom is fine. Your John Singleton fandom, however, needs work. Trey and Ricky were the protagonist and another primary character in Boyz n the Hood.
I have (TTBOMK) never watched or listen to any production that uses Z as plural, and I can’t envision myself ever doing do.
OKz Ronz. hahahaha
my caption:
“Time to get schooled”
Captions:
“I don’t FEEL like picking up my room, Mommy!”
“Do you think these shorts are too low?”
“What? I’m a Prince fan. Purple Rain? Anyone?”
Caption: Off to basketball 101 where coach says they’re gonna teach me something called dribbling so the funny men in striped shirts stop blowing the whistle every time I make a move from the post.
Caption:
“My tattoo says ‘Strapped and Dangerous’”
Caption:
“DeMarcus Cousins: so hard he’ll jack you little sisters backpack”
“Mom: DeMarcus are you ready for school”
“D: I DON’T WANNA”
“Call me the Magic School Bus Driver cause I’m taking you to school”
Yep Yep..11 in A Row in 7 Hours…..Hornets All Day Bitches!!
Caption:
“WHAT SON!! Don’t hate cause my backpack is cooler than yours”
“In elementary school, girls told me I was pretty”
“I would soooo rock the runaway with this”
Can’t wait to watch this game, it’s amazing being a fan of a team that’s on a 10 game winning streak. I can really up my trash talking to my bf (thank you, Hornets!)
Caption:
“You thought this was going to embarrass me? I have this backpack in 3 other colors, sucka. Now watch me work it.â€
Caption:
“Why does everybody keep telling me that I need to be more mature?”
Caption:
“And they wonder why Shaq called them the Sacramento Queens”
We (should, if there is any justice in the world) have a winner!!
Caption “Well, I’m off to Comic-Con”
caption:
“I don’t care about your silly ol’ GI Joe, I’m taking My Little Pony home and you can’t have her!”
Cousin “hey im going to be an all-star, who cares if i borrowed julian wrights backpack”
Hornets have to hit the glass hard tonight. Play defense. We can’t bank on coming back from 23 down on the road.
GEAUX HORNETS!!
These guys beat the Lakers last night so I’m pretty sure they must be feeling very confident right about now. Hornets better not take them lightly.
caption:
“Don’t hate me cause I’m beautiful!”
Time to show the World once again Hornets..A young talented team who we’ve had trouble with coming off a great win in LA..Time to Crush their Spirit!!……Hornets All Day Bitches!!
“They said I couldn’t carry DWest’s jockstrap…little did they know I’ve got THIS!”
Loving this!
And 1!
Its pretty much a turnover everytime Trev attempts those off the dribble mid range jumpers
Treys Waiter!!
But i dont mind those threes any more
Put Willie in!!
Kings hooting 89% Grant, if they can keep that up they will win the game folks, well daa!
Did Monty and his staff tell the Hornets how these guys piled up points in the paint against the Lakers last night? Geez. They’re letting them in their for what’s seeming like a layup drill. Come on Hornets. Don’t allow that ****.
Stop talking about the win streak Bob, Gil, CST. Stop looking behind us and look forward. LET’S GEAUX HORNETS!!!
Numbers will come down to earth….and cue.
I can’t stand young athletic teams..They always give us problems..Im ready for this game to be over!
I know what you mean JaeAmazin.
I don’t think it’s that. They’re just hitting a lot of shots. We’re not. It’ll come around.
We’re playing terribly and their playing outa their mind and we’re only sown by 4!
at least the announcers like our uniforms haha
Bye Reke!
Kings shot 55% in that 1st qtr. Hornets 42%.
Mbenga better be ready to rebound because Dalembert will snatch em up.
Good rebound Jason.
Buckets!
Come on Hornets. DO NOT let a guy that goes by the name ‘Pooh’ beat you. LOL!
Dontae trying to make highlights now. Ugh.
Come on now.
Give the ball to Marcus!
D-League’r Pooh taps the ref on the ass like he’s a future HOF or some ****.
I don’t like the way Belinelli plays.
Not loving this… Bees need to pick up the D
Yeah. Really. They should’ve came out against these guys like they did against Golden State. You can’t get in a whole on the road. The crowd’ll get into it and then before you know it, the refs are feeding the crowd.
I mean you can’t get in a ‘hole’.
Hornets always act like they’re scared to get inside against these kinds of teams. Damn.
Ok West, thank you.
Argh! My plans of trash talking is really back-firing now…darn it Hornets!
You had to know the Kings would be confident after coming off that road win against the Lakers.
I was just about to comment on that. These young gunners don’t want us to get our 11th win.
Of course they don’t. You know teams love to be streak busters. Hornets better get real. They’re playing too damn soft.
I think the last time the Queens had a 10 game win streak was when they had Peja.
Sac with a 12 point adv in the paint. Sucks.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Sammy was in Hornets uniform?
Yeah I’ve often wondered about that but then he’d probably get here and either be injured or just begin sucking. LOL!
VooDoo!
DEFENSE HORNETS DEFENSE!!!
Nice throw down Mek!
Being outhustled.
Was that Shareef Abdul Raheem sitting on the bench?
Probably so. I think he’s some kind of assistant for the Kings.
He retired too early IMO.
But some kind of injury pretty much ended his career right? I guess if he figured he couldn’t play, then might as well be an assistant.
JARRETT! TAKE THE BLEEPING THREE! GOD! If I see him pass up that shot one more time I’m gonna rip my hair out.
Jack is major suckage in this first half. Goodness.
Monty is apparently doing the same strategy as last time. Lull the Kings to sleep, play our scrub 2’s, put in SuperMarcus to lead the valiant comeback.
That ish ain’t gonna work all the time. On the road it’ll take a huge bite outta yo a**.
We can’t even get calls. But yeah, we get calls cuz we’re league owned. Yeah.
CP3 with 2 funky a** shots in this first half? Come on son.
LOL
BUCKETS!!!
Stay down Marcus! Don’t fall for Beno’s ugly a** pump fake.
Hornets better come out in the 2nd half and act like they got game and SENSE!
Can I just say that Marcus looks adorable after fouls?
I can? Great.
Marcus looks adorable after fouls. Very puppy-like.
Buckets!!
Buckets dont think he shoot………..Cousins is killing us right now lawwdd
Buckets. That is all.
I was yelling on that last possession… “GET A STOP! GET A STOP!”
They did. Thank you Hornets.
But please come out better in the 2nd half.
Yay Marcus
Great start for Buckets. And for those of you box score watching, the last “shot” Marcus missed was a 0.4 second long heave at the end of the half. So, he’s 3-3 otherwise. Yet, Monty didn’t play him earlier and the 2nd unit stalled. Shock.
I think he started the second, left, then came back in and played well.
Yes, he scored the first basket of the second quarter.
They way the kings been shooting lights out…….. kinda happy to be down by only 10.
Lets Bring it in the 2nd Half Team!!
What the hell are they booing for? Tyreke hedged too hard on Chris. It’s a FOUL.
Good with Tyreke on the bench Bees need to make a good push
Wasn’t Luther Head the guy Bowser was trying to screw us with?
I don’t even need to say what’s on my mind. The Hornets nation has one collective thought right now.
Buckets = WIN.
West hesitated too much on that jumper
These fools better take advantage of the bonus and the overall foul issues the Kings are having.
There is no reason not to leave this quarter with at least a 0 differential, us less them.
I think ariza heard you but couldn’t get the call
Agree, but the Hornets getting no-calls on last two attempts at the rim…
Right. I keep saying they need to get to the rim but hell if they ain’t gonna call anything…..
Shut up about the All Star Licht. Just shut up.
Earth to Hornets Offense. Give Marcus Thornton the ball.
Marcus Thorton has a questionable shot selection.
He tends to make up his mind before he shoots whether he will shoot or not. I agree.
That’s about the one thing I’m NOT questioning tonight.
Effin 3 second technical. Uggh.
get that weak sh*t outta here
Im starting to see where Michael gets his frustrations with J Smitty
We’re fucking Settling for jumpers..Attack These Pussies!!
J Jack!!
Chris Paul and David West need to take over this game. They are the Captains and Chris is an All-Star.
So is David.
I thought he got shafted this year.
Ummmmm…might still make it.
Please Hornets, win this game. Please. Please. Please. Please.
Emeka, 3 rebbies doesn’t exactly shout “All-Star!”
Huge back to back 3’s.
Reke is one of the best finishers around the basket I have ever seen, probably the best. If he isnt fouled its going in
And there we go again
Eff it. Hornets ain’t winning this.
Can I get a Marcus chant?
For the life of me, I can’t figure out why he isn’t in the game…
Man, sometimes 6-8 just isn’t getting the job done.
Can’t stay in front of his man on D.
Nice while it lasted.
And tomorrow we’ll face a fresh legged Suns team.
Marco part from that long three has done pretty much nothing this entire game
And 1 West! Why is Marco even in this game during this time?
There he is!
Ok. Marcus is now in. Should’ve been in.
Goaltending.
Marcus is so quick getting to the rim.
Good to play zone now we aint stopping Reke otherwise
THAT WAS GOAL TENDING !
Dumb turnover by CP3 on that one.
Was the damn cameraman keeping CP3 down there? LOL!!
WEST!!!
I noticed that too, how the heck do they allow a camera man hold a player. Chris should had slapped him or something lol
I think Chris’ arm sleeve got caught/snagged on the camera. I’ll bet the cameraman was taking his sweet time getting it off of there too. SMH. CP should’ve just took off the damn sleeve.
DeMarcus just did a Dhantay Jones clap. Yuck.
A little too damn fast that time Buckets.
Look at Demarcus clapping like clown.
God Thornton, that was ugly.
Clown clapping looked like a blocking foul…if he had 4.
Game over. Can’t begin to describe how disappointed I am with the energy tonight
^^&$#$%^*&$@!!!*&%$!!
I hate that thing that Belinelli does when he catches the ball. Swinging the ball around in a circle each and every time.
Apparently, this is the season for all the worst teams in the league (Pacific Division) to beat all the best teams at least once. *sigh*
I forgot how this shit feels..I don’t miss it At All
CP’s arm sleeve got caught on the damn camera? Lawd have mercy. He took forever to get back down there. Eff those damn cameramen sitting down there. They don’t need no damn pictures!!!!!
Unbelievable…
Mek got bitched tonight. Plain and simple.
Belinelli is a bum. Can’t even get his ass to the free throw line.
3/12…. Hornets better be ready to punch em in the mouth.
And I swear, they’d better not let the damn Wizards come in and get their first road win. I would combust!
Given that this was basically due to defensive lapses early (allowed 32 in the 2nd), I’m not too upset.
Good run, guys.
I’m confident the win rate will be good from here on out. Stay healthy.
so who can the Hornets get with the Expirings of Beli, Green, and Banks?
Thornton needs more minutes or the hornets have to get a real SG. Watching Beli is like wathcing MO pete or Devin Brown.
[…] make 9 of their first 10 shots. Michael McNamara pointed out at Hornets247.com that the Kings are a tough team despite their poor record and the Hornets should have taken notice. New Orleans kept it close only […]