Phoenix Suns vs Sacramento Kings

The Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings are set to clash at the Footprint Center in an NBA matchup on Friday night. The Suns, currently 11th in the Western Conference with a 30-36 record, will take on the Kings, who sit two spots ahead in ninth place at 33-32.

Phoenix has been struggling significantly in recent weeks, posting a disappointing 4-11 record in their last 15 games. Their latest setback came on Wednesday night, falling 111-104 to the Houston Rockets. Despite strong contributions from Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant, along with shooting 53% from the field, the Suns couldn’t keep up with the Rockets throughout the game. This season, Phoenix averages 114.3 points per game (14th in the league) but gives up 116.4 points per game, ranking 23rd in defense.

On the other hand, the Sacramento Kings have also hit a rough patch, losing four of their last five games. Their most recent defeat came at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, who dominated them 130-104 on Thursday night. DeMar DeRozan was the lone bright spot, scoring over 20 points, while the team shot 46% from the field and made 14 of 37 three-point attempts. Despite their recent struggles, the Kings remain a top-10 offensive team, averaging 116.4 points per game, though their defense allows 115.4 points per game, placing them 20th in the NBA.

Both teams will be looking to bounce back and secure a crucial win as they fight for playoff positioning in the competitive Western Conference.

Against the Clippers, the Kings shot 9 out of 34 from beyond the arc. Against New York, Sacramento hit 10 of its 34 long-range tries, and the Kings were terrible on both ends of the court. They recorded an 18/18 assist-to-turnover ratio, gave up 26 fast-break points, and gave up 22 triples.

The Phoenix Suns have struggled recently, posting a 3-7 straight-up (SU) record and going 6-4 against the spread (ATS) in their last ten games. As they prepare to host the Sacramento Kings, they aim to snap a two-game losing streak. Their recent road trip ended with back-to-back losses—a narrow 120-118 defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, followed by a 111-104 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Kevin Durant led the way with 35 points against Memphis, but his efforts fell short. He was limited to 19 points in the loss to Houston, where Phoenix also struggled with ball control, committing eight more turnovers (17-9) than their opponent. Defensive issues continue to plague the Suns, as they have conceded over 110 points in 20 of their last 21 games.

Defense has been a persistent weakness for Phoenix this season. The team ranks 27th in the NBA in defensive efficiency, allowing 118.4 points per 100 possessions. Currently sitting 11th in the Western Conference, the Suns are two and a half games behind the 10th-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the playoff race.