Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Lakers: Match Preview and Predictions - 15th November 2019
Match details
Fixture: Sacramento Kings vs Los Angeles Lakers
Date & Time: Friday, 15th November 2019 (10:30 PM ET)
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
Last game results
Sacramento Kings (4-6): 107-99 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers (12th November, Tuesday)
Los Angeles Lakers (9-2): 120-94 victory against the Golden State Warriors (13th November, Wednesday)
Sacramento Kings Preview
Sacramento Kings entered the new season optimistic about their chances of being competitive. However, their campaign got off to a rocky start as they dropped their first five games. They've since hit back strongly, winning four of their last five games to move up to 10th in the West.
Despite their recent resurgence, all is not well for the Kings, who will be without the services of star guard De'Aaron Fox for the rest of the month.
Fox sprained his ankle during a practice session and could miss up to six weeks of action. In his absence, the onus will be on the likes of Buddy Hield and Nemanja Bjelica to pick up the slack.
Key Player - Buddy Hield
Buddy Hield has a tendency to blow hot and cold, but when he catches fire, he can be pretty hard to contain.
Hield is averaging an admirable 18.3 points per game this season on 41.2% shooting from the field.
He has poured in at least 20 points in five of the last six games for the Kings, and enters this contest against the Lakers on the back of a 20-point display against Portland.
Kings predicted lineup
Harrison Barnes, Richaun Holmes, Nemanja Bjelica, Cory Joseph, Buddy Hield
Los Angeles Lakers Preview
The acquisition of Anthony Davis in the off-season made Los Angeles Lakers firm favorites in the West and they've lived up to the hype with a scintillating start to the season.
The Lakers dropped their season-opener against the Los Angeles Clippers but then embarked on a seven-game win streak that propelled them to the top of the Western Conference Standings.
Although a loss to the defending champions, Toronto Raptors pegged them back, they returned to winning ways by demolishing the Golden State Warriors.
The Lakers have a rather favorable schedule over the next week, beginning with the visit of the Sacramento Kings, and they will fancy their chances of extending their lead at the top.
Key Player - LeBron James
LeBron James has led the Lakers to a 9-2 start in the new season. He is averaging a double-double across 11 games, chipping in with 23.9 points and 11.1 assists per game.
However, he has continued to struggle from deep as well as the free-throw line, shooting just 30.4% and 68.6% respectively. Those are numbers he will be looking to improve on as the season progresses.
Lakers predicted lineup
Kyle Kuzma, LeBron James, JaVale McGee, Avery Bradley, Danny Green
Kings vs Lakers Match Prediction
Even with De'Aaron Fox in the lineup, staying competitive against this formidable Lakers side would have been an uphill task for the Kings. The absence of their star point guard makes things so much more complicated.
The Lakers, meanwhile, could welcome Anthony Davis back into the lineup although they might be inclined to rest him for a few more days, considering the strength of their schedule. Davis' absence should not prove too problematic for the Lakers who have received plenty of production from the likes of Kyle Kuzma and Dwight Howard among others.
LeBron James has also hit his stride and is back to being a force of nature. Ultimately, the Lakers have far too much firepower for this Kings side to cope with, and should run out comfortable winners.
Where to Watch Kings vs Lakers?
The game will be broadcast on Spectrum Sportsnet and NBC Sports California from 10:30 PM (ET). You can live stream the game via NBA League Pass.