LA Clippers vs Sacramento Kings: Can the Kings Establish Themselves on the Boards?

• The LA Clippers hope to bring their record to 2-0 after their opening night victory.
• The Sacramento Kings want to earn their first win of the NBA season!
• The Clippers and Kings drew their regular season series last year, 2-2.

LA Clippers vs Sacramento Kings Predictions and Picks

The LA Clippers showed off an excellent defense in their first game, limiting their opponents from the perimeter and in the paint. Sacramento are a better shooting team, but they should struggle against the Clippers' defense.

Picks:

LA Clippers def. Sacramento Kings

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Head-to-Head: LA Clippers vs Sacramento Kings

Injury Report

LAC: Is LA's bench production sustainable?

The LA Clippers may not have wowed the league with spectacular individual performances in their first game out, but they showed excellent team play that helped them defeat one of the league's more intimidating rosters.

In the Clippers' 103-97 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, LA had six double-digit scorers. It's a benefit when the likes of Kawhi Leonard, John Wall, and Luke Kennard come off the bench, as there is little to no drop-off in offensive quality. The trio produced 40 of the team's 103 points.

Against an athletic and shot-happy Kings team, the Clippers need to show that they can maintain their bench production. Even if the Kings don't project to have their quality, they're certainly willing to run LA out of the gym.

Clippers Key Player: (G) John Wall

Surprising many, John Wall put in an excellent shift with the LA Clippers in his first game back from extended injury. He may not have shot well off of the bench, but his intent and aggression were on full display.

In 24 minutes of play, Wall posted 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists on 46.7% shooting from the field. He was 0 of 4 from three, to reinforce his own shooting criticisms, but his ability to find a way to contribute otherwise was encouraging.

He'll have his hands full when he's asked to match up with the Kings' athletic backcourt. How Wall leads the bench unit on defence will determine the Clippers' chances at victory.

SAC: Can the Kings establish themselves on the boards?

The Kings are clearly a stronger team than they were last year, but if they can't realize their potential it'll be all for naught. Their most immediate issue is their interior presence, as they struggled on the glass in their first game.

In their opening night loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Kings were outrebounded 41 to 44. However the more pressing issue is the fact that Portland collected 11 offensive rebounds to Sacramento's 4.

Sacramento haven't proved potent enough on either end of the court to give away second opportunities. If they want to take down a physical Clippers team, they must win the battle on the boards.

Kings Key Player: (C) Domantas Sabonis

The Sacramento Kings put up a good fight in their opening game against the Portland Trail Blazers, but you had the feeling that a more productive shift from Domantas Sabonis could've sent them to victory.

In his last game Sabonis posted 13 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds in 33 minutes of play. He was a plus-7 on the evening, but his limited contribution on the scoring side hurt their chances against the pace of Portland's play.

When the Kings face the Clippers, they take on a versatile defensive unit. If Sabonis can't produce scoring opportunities in the paint, it'll adversely affect their perimeter game. Sabonis needs to be aggressive for the Kings to win.

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