| 01 April 2009
Sacramento Kings (16-57) at Golden State Warriors (25-49) 7:30 p.m. PST League Pass
Scoff all you want at my choice for the game to watch tonight, but I have more than a few good reasons to tune in to this game. There are only a handful of playoff teams matching up tonight, and it looks like the rest will be blowout material. The Suns are all but eliminated from the playoffs, so don't be fooled into thinking their game against the Rockets actually matters. The Heat at the Mavericks should be fun to watch if only because neither team wants to get blown out in the first round. But the game that will actually be the most entertaining with great athletes, offenses and coaches that couldn't care less is the Kings-Warriors tilt tonight.
Don't be fooled by their combined 41 wins, these teams have both had moments where they're incredibly fun to watch. This was especially true when they last faced off on January 14th. That game saw a combined score of 268, three overtimes, clutch shot after clutch shot, twelve players score in double-figures, four players had double-doubles (two more were one rebound away) and a game-winner with 1.6 seconds left in the third overtime. It was one of the most fun games to watch of the season where two losing teams decided they didn't care about tanking or draft picks and decided to just put on a show.
Expect the same tonight. Both teams have young players looking to make an impression at the end of the season and solidify their playing time for next year. Both teams have nothing to play for, but they also have nothing to lose. Those situations always seem to lead to career highs. Neither coach seems to care that much about how this season is going which means exciting rookies like Anthony Randolph, Jason Thompson and Donte Greene may get more run and a chance to shine. Neither team plays defense, so expect a high scoring, uptempo game.
Yes the Warriors are dealing with some injuries to key players like Stephen Jackson and Andris Biedrins, but that just means we'll get to see more Monta Ellis and Ronny Turiaf (and who can complain about that?).
Key Match-Up: Jason Thompson versus Anthony Randolph
Once again there are better, more established players matching up in this game. Kevin Martin going against Monta Ellis would be the obvious choice in the key match-up department, but it isn't as fun as Thompson versus Randolph. Both players were drafted in the Lottery last season (at 12 and 14 respectively). Both had big question marks about whether they should have been taken so high and how well they'll contribute in the NBA. Both have exceeded expectations and should be a huge part of the next five years for their respective teams. Thompson is having a better statistical season because he has been afforded more playing time, and he has taken advantage of the time he has been given. He is averaging 11.9 points and 7.3 boards while shooting 52% from the field and 72% from the charity stripe in 47 games as a starter. To put it into perspective, those numbers are very similar to what Carlos Boozer did as a starter in his rookie season. Randolph has been coming on strong lately now that he is starting to get more consistent minutes. He averaged 9.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2 blocks in 23 minutes per game during the month of March. He has absurd athleticism, plays both forward positions and never seems to get tired. I can't wait to see what he becomes in the next three seasons. This should be one of many epic head-to-head match-ups between these two.
Prediction: Kings are healthier and have been playing well lately. They'll pull one out tonight.
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