Game Preview
The Sacramento Kings and Detroit Pistons enter Thursday's matchup with identical 13-17 records, but their recent form tells a different story. While the Pistons have won two straight and three of their last five, the Kings are mired in a four-game skid, a stretch where they've struggled to find their offensive rhythm.
Over their last five games, the Kings are averaging just 106.8 points on a mere 42.6% shooting from the field and a paltry 32.2% from beyond the arc. Their normally stout free throw percentage has kept them afloat at 82.3%, but they've been outscored by an average of 8.6 points during this rough patch. Defensively, they've allowed 115.4 points per contest, a shade above their season average.
The Pistons, meanwhile, have found their groove offensively, pouring in 118.6 points per game over their last five while shooting a blistering 48.4% from the floor. They've been particularly lethal from downtown, knocking down nearly 36.4% of their three-point attempts. While their defense has been leaky, surrendering 122.4 points during this stretch, their high-powered offense has helped offset those struggles.
When looking at the full season numbers, the teams are nearly identical in most statistical categories. Both hover around 43% in win percentage and have similar scoring and shooting percentages. However, the Pistons have been slightly more effective in protecting the ball, averaging just under 15 turnovers per game compared to the Kings' 13 giveaways.
As these familiar foes prepare to clash, recent trends suggest the Pistons may have the edge, riding a wave of offensive production into Sacramento. But the Kings will look to put an end to their losing skid and recapture the form that had them playing .500 basketball through their first 20 games.