Kings Vs Grizzlies: Kings beat Grizzlies to snap franchise-worst 16-game skid
The Sacramento win over Memphis ended a 16-game losing streak and featured big nights from Russsell Westbrook and Precious Achiuwa in the latest kings vs grizzlies matchup. The Kings prevailed 123-114 on Monday night in Memphis, Tenn., snapping the longest losing streak in franchise history.
Kings Vs Grizzlies recap
Russsell Westbrook scored 25 points and Precious Achiuwa finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds as Sacramento posted a 123-114 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. DeMar DeRozan and Daeqwon Plowden each finished with 19 points, and Plowden scored 10 of his points in the fourth quarter.
Scoring and momentum swings
Memphis rallied to take the lead early in the third quarter, then Sacramento answered with an 18-6 run that produced the game's first double-digit lead midway through the period. The Kings led 92-89 entering the fourth and stretched the margin with a 15-4 run capped by a 3-pointer from Westbrook with 8: 45 remaining.
Individual performances and matchup details
Javon Smalls led Memphis with 21 points and nine assists. Olivier-Maxence Prosper scored 17 points and GG Jackson added 16 points. With the Grizzlies lacking an active player taller than the 6-foot-9 Jackson, Sacramento's height advantage was evident: Achiuwa had 14 points and 11 rebounds before the break and finished with 22 and 12. At halftime the Kings led 63-61, and both teams had shot better than 54% in the first half.
Records, recent form and odds
Sacramento entered the game with the NBA's worst record and had not won since beating Washington on Jan. 16. The Kings' recent form included a 139-122 loss at San Antonio on Saturday, while Memphis had dropped a 136-120 decision at Miami that same day. The pregame listings showed the Kings at 12-46 and the Grizzlies at 21-34. The Kings had lost all three meetings with Memphis that season and were 3-26 on the road; the Grizzlies were 11-15 at home and stood third in the Southwest Division. Tipoff for the matchup at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn., had been set for 8 p. m. ET, and the all-time series stood with the Kings leading 59-53 even as the Grizzlies had won the last three meetings. The Grizzlies were 3. 5-point favorites and the over/under for total points was 232. 5.
Injuries and roster notes
Injuries to key players have left both teams pivoting to the future. Memphis sat in 11th place in the Western Conference and had played most games with lineups cobbled together from available players. Eight Grizzlies were on the injured list for Monday's matchup.
Projections and model results
A projection model that runs large simulations had been used to preview the game. The model simulates games 10, 000 times and had simulated this kings vs grizzlies matchup 10, 000 times as well. The projection model was going Under on the point total and indicated one side of the spread hit nearly 60% of the time. That model had entered Week 17 on an 11-1 run on top-ranked over/under picks dating back to last year and was on a 20-11 run on top-rated college side picks. The projection work cited a 38-18 roll on top-rated NBA picks.
KINGS: Visit Houston on Wednesday night. GRIZZLIES: Host Golden State on Wednesday night.
The Sacramento victory closed the franchise-worst streak at 16 games and shifted both teams' short-term narratives as schedules tightened in the coming days.
