Phoenix Suns vs Sacramento Kings Picks and Predictions November 10th 2024

Suns, Kings Set to Face Off as Phoenix Aims for Eighth Consecutive Win

The Phoenix Suns are riding high on a seven-game winning streak as they prepare to host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night. Phoenix, currently sitting atop the Pacific Division, is hoping to extend their hot streak to eight games. However, recent wins have come by the slimmest of margins, as the Suns have developed a knack for close finishes.

On Friday night, Jusuf Nurkic sealed the Suns’ latest victory with a clutch free throw with just 0.8 seconds remaining, allowing Phoenix to edge out the Dallas Mavericks 114-113. This narrow win added to their growing list of tight finishes, with three consecutive victories decided by three points or less. In fact, all eight of Phoenix’s wins this season have come by a combined total of just 37 points.

Head coach Mike Budenholzer praised his team’s resilience in close games, noting, “Winning close games on the road builds confidence and toughness.” The Suns have shown their ability to grind out wins, even when missing key players like Kevin Durant, who is sidelined for two weeks with a left calf strain.

While superstars like Durant and Devin Booker draw the headlines, it’s been Jusuf Nurkic who has consistently stepped up in crunch time. Nurkic leads the Suns in fourth-quarter impact with a team-best plus-21 rating, while also being highly efficient in those moments, shooting 75% from the field in the final period.

Sacramento Looking to Bounce Back

The Kings, meanwhile, are coming off a disappointing 107-98 home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. Despite another stellar performance from Domantas Sabonis, who notched his eighth consecutive double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds, Sacramento struggled mightily from beyond the arc.

In their recent defeat, the Kings shot a dismal 11.5% from 3-point range, making just three of their 26 attempts. Sabonis himself went 0-for-2 from deep, while starters like Keegan Murray and Harrison Barnes combined to miss all of their attempts from long distance.

Despite the shooting slump, Kings coach Mike Brown remains confident in his team’s approach, stating, “We want to let it fly. We feel like we’re a good 3-point shooting team. Although the numbers might not reflect it right now, we have guys who can knock down that shot.”

Sacramento’s 3-point struggles have been a recurring issue early in the season, with the team shooting just 30.7% from beyond the arc, placing them near the bottom of the NBA rankings. In contrast, the Suns have excelled in this area, ranking among the league’s best with a 38.3% conversion rate.

Key Matchup: Nurkic vs. Sabonis

Sunday’s game will feature an intriguing matchup between two skilled big men: Phoenix’s Jusuf Nurkic and Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis. Last season, Sabonis posted three triple-doubles against the Suns, though the Kings lost two of those games. He’ll be looking to replicate that form while hoping his teammates can snap out of their shooting funk.

Who’s Favored in NBA Tonight? Get NBA picks today and see what the experts say.

With both teams eager to keep momentum on their side, the clash in Phoenix promises to be a hard-fought contest. The Suns will look to continue their winning ways, while the Kings hope to regain their offensive rhythm and put an end to Phoenix’s hot streak.

Key Takeaways:

• Phoenix Suns: Riding a seven-game winning streak; excelling in close games despite missing Kevin Durant.
• Sacramento Kings: Struggling with 3-point shooting but remain confident in their offensive approach.
• Matchup to Watch: Jusuf Nurkic’s impact in crunch time vs. Domantas Sabonis’ all-around game.