With the news today that George Karl will be taking over the team after the All-Star break, this makes it very likely that today's game against the Milwaukee Bucks is Tyrone Corbin's last with the Kings organization. Our time with Tyrone has been rough for everyone involved, so let's try to end it on a happy note. Today's action tips off at 5:00 pm on Comcast SportsNet California and on KHTK 1140.
3 THINGS TO LOOK FOR
1. I know the Hawks are everyone's surprise team this year but Milwaukee has been an incredible story as well. Just a year removed from winning just 15 games and holding the NBA's worst record, the Bucks are 29-23 with a top-5 defense and that's even with their lottery pick, Jabari Parker, only playing 25 games this season due to injury. The Bucks have seen improvement from a lot of their young players, namely Brandon Knight, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. They aren't a team to take lightly.
2. Milwaukee is one of the longest teams in the league. "The Greek Freak" is a 6'11 athlete who can defend big men and handle the ball like a guard. The Bucks' defense lies largely in forcing turnovers (3rd in steals, 2nd in opponent turnovers) and that length allows for a lot of disruption.
3. The Bucks are a very good three point shooting team, ranking 4th in the league in percentage. Surprisingly though, they don't shoot all that many threes at just 26th in attempts. Still, with guys like Jared Dudley, Middleton, Knight and O.J. Mayo, they can light it up if you leave them open (which has been the case far too often lately).
MATCHUP OF THE GAME
Brandon Knight vs. Ramon Sessions
There's an argument to be made that Brandon Knight deserved to be on the Eastern Conference All-Star team this year. He's having a career year in many categories, and he's Milwaukee's most prolific scorer at 17.7 points a game. Sessions is not a good defender but he will have to try much harder than he did yesterday in Chicago against Derrick Rose.
PREGAME LIMERICK
So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, good night
Tyrone, you're swell, but this fit just isn't right
George Karl is here,
so beat the Deer,
and make your weekend a little more bright.
PREDICTION
Kings 123, Bucks 106 as Derrick Williams decides to play even though he sprained his ankle tripping over a cord yesterday (note: That's a real thing). Williams then proceeds to drop 64 points on Milwaukee thanks to a new hitch in his shot.