Tonight is a game we should lose.
Every game right now is a nailbiter for at least the first half, because if we want a real chance of the 6th best lottery odds, then we pretty much need to lose every game from here. Some of the games we have coming up are big risks to that: Phoenix, for example, is a game we could easily win because they're tanking too.
Tonight, we don't have that problem. We are trying to lose, and Sacramento has every chance of making the playoffs. And by god do they want to make the playoffs. They've missed out for years and years, they really, really want to go this season. We're happy to help for the low, low price of only one loss. They give us that, and we'll give them a win. Deal.
We have won 1 game in our last 10. Meanwhile, SAC has won 4 of their last 6. They haven't won against a good team for a while, but that's okay: we aren't a good team right now. If they can perform anywhere close to a solid standard, they should mess us up pretty easily here.
So what do we have to watch? Well, Frank is out for concussion protocol, so for me the number one guy to watch is Christian Wood. He went off in the last game, posting 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 blocks on a super efficient 7 for 9 shooting night. If he can replicate that, or anything even close (say, 17 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks?) then those are encouraging signs. There's a limited amount of meaning to be taken from late season tanking games, but it's still fun to watch and see what potential he could have there moving in to next season.
So let's go and #DoItBig!