Game Preview: Sacramento Kings vs Miami Heat
Jul 22, 2020, 8:48 AM | Updated: 9:04 am
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Tune in for all of the action right here on Sports 1140 KHTK at 5pm PST
They’re back.
For the first time in over four months, the Sacramento Kings will be in action tonight when they face the Miami Heat in the first of three tune-up scrimmages.
Sacramento Kings vs Miami Heat
Where: ESPN Wide World of Sports (Orlando, Florida)
When: 5:00pm PST
Radio: Sports 1140 KHTK
TV: NBCSCA, NBA League Pass
While the Kings will be without the services of some key players, it will be important for head coach Luke Walton to asses the rotation and conditioning of all available players on Wednesday night.
With De’Aaron Fox, Marvin Bagley III, Richaun Holmes and Harrison Barnes all expected to be out, here is what the lineup could look like tonight for Sacramento:
Projected Lineup
PG: Cory Joseph
SG: Bogdan Bogdanovic
SF: Kent Bazemore
PF: Nemaja Bjelica
C: Harry Giles III
It is unknown if center Alex Len will see the floor on Wednesday, but it does not seem likely as the seven-footer was just cleared to begin practicing on Sunday.
Three of the four Kings players that tested positive for COVID-19 (Buddy Hield, Jabari Parker and Len) have been cleared to play after recovering from the virus. Hield and Parker will both be available against Miami.
As of Wednesday morning, forward Harrison Barnes is still in Sacramento awaiting clearance to travel to the ‘bubble’ site in Orlando, Florida.
Kings center Richaun Holmes finished his 10-day quarantine on Tuesday. The 26 year-old accidentally crossed the ‘bubble’ boundaries on July 11th when picking up a food delivery.
Head coach Luke Walton said on Monday that Holmes will be brought along slowly, putting his status for Wednesday’s scrimmage opener in doubt.
Bogdan Bogdanovic will undoubtably be one of the most intriguing Kings to watch during this NBA restart. With De’Aaron Fox working his way back from an ankle injury, expect Bogdanovic to get minutes at point guard when Cory Joseph is off the floor.
The third-year guard will be entering restricted free-agency at the end of the season.
Fox’s injured ankle is getting better everyday, according to Walton. The star guard was seen working out and practicing his pull-up jumper on Monday evening, with Walton adding that the team expects him back ‘soon’.
While it might not be a real, meaningful game, tonight’s scrimmage will still have some relevance.
Getting players reacclimated with each-other and getting rotations down will be pivotal in Sacramento’s push for a postseason spot. The team has only nine days until the season restart begins on July 31st against the San Antonio Spurs.
Tune in to Sports 1140 KHTK tonight for all of the action, with Jason Ross on the call at 5pm PST.
