Analyzing Where the Kings Stand in Tight West Playoff Race
The Sacramento Kings are in a riveting playoff race to avoid the Play-In tournament, in a position to control their destiny, but essentially tied for 6th in the West with the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks.
The Kings have a 39-28 record, while the Suns and Mavs both have a 39-29 record, half a game behind the Kings. With a win against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, the Kings will inch one step closer to safety.
The Mavericks and Suns will not play each other anymore this season, but Sacramento will play them both. First, the Kings will host the Mavs twice, and then play the season's penultimate game against the Suns in the tight race. A win in all three of those games would massively contribute to Sacramento's safety.
The Kings have the edge over the Mavs this season, going 2-0 against Dallas so far in two away games. On the other hand, the series is split 2-2 against the Suns, with the winner of their fifth game claiming the season series.
The remaining schedule also plays a factor: the Suns have the hardest remaining schedule of the three (based on opponent win percentage) and the second hardest in the NBA. The Kings follow them with the eighth most difficult remaining schedule in the league, and the Mavericks have a massive edge on the two with the 29th most difficult remaining schedule in the NBA.
Regardless, the 6-8 seeds in the West are in for a tough battle in the playoffs, likely facing one of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, or Denver Nuggets in the first round - all of which have 47 wins. Interestingly, the Kings have a winning record against all three of those teams this season - and why wouldn't they? After all, the Sacramento Kings are the most confusing team in the NBA.
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