Sacramento Kings vs Orlando Magic Prediction: Kings have issues at home

The NBA Regular Season has been going on for more than two months now and we have arrived at the midway point. This is a phase where we can witness a bunch of trades as teams look to either retool or build their depth, it will be intersting to see what scenarios spring up in this window. Anyway, in another NBA affair, the Sacramento Kings are going to take on the Orlando Magic. 

The Kings come into this game after a controversial 134:136 home loss against the LA Lakers despite a 34 points outburst by De’Aaron Fox. The game was tied with three seconds to go before a foul was called on Fox trying to stall Dennis Schroeder, a call that is many times avoided late in the game. The Kings have had a bunch of close calls lately and have been unable to build big leads. They have lost five out of their last eight home games, something which has held them back. The Kings have a weak defense and have given up 120+ regularly.

The major lifelines of the team are De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. While Fox has scored a ton of points, Sabonis has been giving amazing rebounding, keeping the Kings alive for most parts. Kevin Huerter has improved the sharpshooting arc whereas wings Harrison Barnes and Keegan Murray provide great balance, with Malik Monk coming off the bench. It is not the offensive but the defensive end which has been the main reason why Sacramento has lost a ton lately.

The Magic enters the game after defeating the Warriors 115:101 as Paolo Banchero banked on 25 points. This was the second win in three games for Orlando which has a record of 25 losses and 15 wins. The Magic had just five wins and 20 losses to begin the season but they have done a great job of winning 10 out of their 15 games. The Magi’s elevated play means that there is a lot of promise but the current window can be misleading too, considering how some young teams can have a uplifting period but can go down quickly.

The Magic has one of the best frontlines in the league. Paolo Banchero has been playing fantastically, and has been averaging over 20 points. Meanwhile, Franz Wagner has made some improvements after a strong rookie season. Wendell Carter Jr brings defense and rebounding whereas Bol Bol is having a breakout season as he is emerging into an electric inside scorer, shot-blocker, and rebounder. The major lack for the team is in the guard positions where the production has been limited.

• Kings: Nothing to report;
• Magic: OUT: Jonathan Isaac, Bol Bol, Chuma Okeke.

• Expected Leading Scorers: De’Aaron Fox(27-34 Points), Paolo Banchero(23-29 Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Domantas Sabonis(12-15 Rebounds), Wendell Carter Jr(11-13 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: Markelle Fultz(7-9 Assists), Domantas Sabonis(7-9 Assists).

The Kings have been struggling to finish games and all types of teams have taken advantage of their bloated defensive lapses. If these lapses continue, the Kings are going to slid even further and without a course correction, they can continue to miss the Postseason for yet another season. The Magic has been improving and their Guard play has seen some improvements with Fultz running the Point well. However. I don’t think Kings will lose third in a row at home. I predict a scoreline of 127:114 in Kings’ favor.