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Game Preview Sacramento Kings @ Memphis Grizzlies
The Sacramento Kings and the Memphis Grizzlies meet Thursday night at FedExForum with both clubs searching for relief from early-season turbulence. Sacramento arrives in Memphis riding a seven-game losing streak, their longest skid since the 2021–22 campaign, while Memphis has dropped five straight and continues to grapple with roster limitations, late-game execution issues and a thinning backcourt due to injuries.
The Kings’ slow start at 3-12 comes despite stretches of competitive play, including their most recent outing in Oklahoma City in which they trailed the 15-1 Thunder by only six midway through the third quarter. First-year head coach Doug Christie has emphasized improved defensive connectivity and ball pressure, but Sacramento’s inability to sustain energy over four quarters remains a defining problem. The pending return of forward Keegan Murray, who is expected to make his season debut following thumb surgery, could help stabilize the rotation.
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Memphis, meanwhile, is in a precarious position. With Ja Morant sidelined by a calf injury and every other point guard on the roster unavailable—Scotty Pippen Jr., Ty Jerome and Javon Small all remain out—the Grizzlies continue to operate without a natural initiator. They have shown flashes of effective interior work and relentless rebounding, as evidenced by a 59-38 board advantage and a 22-2 edge in second-chance points Tuesday against San Antonio. But fourth-quarter collapses have defined their recent skid, including scoring droughts of 16 and 14 points in the final frame of their last two losses.
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Odds and Key Information
- Venue: FedExForum (Memphis)
- Date: Thursday, November 20
- Kings +3.0 (-112)
- Grizzlies -3.0 (-110)
- Moneylines: SAC +125 | MEM -152
- Total: 234.0 (O -110 / U -110)
Sacramento Outlook
Sacramento’s 3-12 start is not the record the franchise envisioned after reshaping the rotation and integrating veteran scoring options. The Kings enter Thursday having lost seven straight, including Wednesday’s 113-99 defeat in Oklahoma City. Turnovers and inconsistent perimeter defense remain the central issues. Sacramento produced positive stretches—particularly in the first half when they trailed by only eight—but once again faltered under sustained pressure.
Dennis Schroder has been a bright spot, scoring 21 points against the Thunder and providing necessary on-ball creation. However, the Kings rank near the bottom of the league in defensive rating and continue to allow opponents to shoot quality looks early in the shot clock. Their overall three-point efficiency has been a relative strength at 36.7 percent, ranking 11th leaguewide, buoyed by shooters such as DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, who are capable of producing midrange and catch-and-shoot value.
The expected season debut of Keegan Murray is a significant storyline. Murray averaged 12.4 points and 6.7 rebounds last season and shot 37.2 percent from deep. His combination of length, floor spacing and defensive versatility should help a group that has struggled with matchups and rebounding. Sacramento will need immediate cohesion from Murray to alleviate minutes load issues on the wings.
Offensively, the Kings show enough spacing and secondary creation to be competitive, but their challenge lies in closing games. Defensive breakdowns and fouling have created unsalvageable late-game deficits. Christie has emphasized incremental improvements in physicality and decision-making; this contest serves as a key evaluation point for whether the Kings can steady themselves before the season’s quarter mark.
Memphis Outlook
Memphis faces a different type of challenge—playing competitive basketball for three quarters but falling apart in the fourth. Through two straight games, the Grizzlies have mustered only 16 and 14 fourth-quarter points. Against San Antonio, Memphis led 101-100 with 3:13 left but failed to score again, missing six shots and committing two turnovers in the final minutes.
The absence of Ja Morant leaves the Grizzlies without a dynamic downhill guard capable of creating late-clock opportunities. Injuries have compounded the issue at the point guard position: Pippen Jr., Jerome and Small all remain unavailable. Jaren Jackson Jr. is now doubtful with a right ankle sprain—an additional blow to a team already lacking scoring options. Jackson produced 18 points against the Spurs but disappeared late, going scoreless in the fourth.
Despite the offensive limitations, Memphis has positive attributes. Their energy on the boards is among the league’s best, and their 21 offensive rebounds Tuesday highlight their ability to create second-chance opportunities. Rookie Cedric Coward continues to emerge as a standout, posting 19 points and 11 rebounds against San Antonio while flashing defensive versatility and aggressiveness. His trajectory places him firmly in early Rookie of the Year discussions.
Memphis ranks fifth in possessions per game, plays at a fast pace, and converts free throws efficiently (81.4 percent). Their issue is not effort—it is execution. Without consistent shot creation and with rotation instability, the Grizzlies must rely on timely stops and offensive rebounding to generate scoring. If they can limit turnovers and maintain defensive intensity, this matchup is within reach.
Key Matchup Table
| Category | Edge |
|---|---|
| Ball Movement | Kings |
| Rebounding | Grizzlies |
| Fourth-Quarter Execution | Kings |
| Interior Defense | Grizzlies |
| Depth Scoring | Kings |
| Home-Court Impact | Grizzlies |
Betting Trends
- Kings are 0-7 SU in their last seven
- Kings are 11th in the NBA in three-point percentage
- Grizzlies are 0-5 SU in their last five
- Grizzlies allow 119.2 points per game
- Kings overs have hit in 7 of 12 games
- Grizzlies unders are 3-1 in their last four
- Additional trend insights available via the NBA picks page
The Lean
This matchup features two teams desperate for a win, but Sacramento’s addition of Keegan Murray and slightly stronger shot-creation profile give them a modest situational edge. Memphis’ fourth-quarter collapses and uncertainty around Jaren Jackson Jr. create difficulty in laying points, even at home.
Projected Score: Grizzlies 115, Kings 113
Spread Lean: Kings +3.0
Total Lean: Under 234
Why You Need Expert Picks
Games involving injury-riddled backcourts, shifting rotations and teams on extended losing streaks often produce volatile market movement. That’s why leveraging the insights of long-term, graded analysts matters. The best handicappers leaderboard highlights proven specialists who factor in pace projections, lineup value, rest disadvantages and late-breaking injury news.
Pair those insights with the data tools at the NBA scores and odds page and deeper strategy from the NBA expert betting guide, and bettors gain stronger grounding in evaluating moneylines, spreads and totals. When combined with bookmaker evaluations from the sportsbook reviews archive, players can make informed decisions anchored in reliable analytics rather than guesswork.
