Game Preview: Kings vs Warriors Rematch Predictions and Key Players

The Sacramento Kings are off to a 1-0 start in the 2023-24 NBA season after taking down the Utah Jazz 130-114 on the road on Wednesday, but their first test of the season comes tonight against the Golden State Warriors. In a highly anticipated 2023 playoff rematch, the Kings will have their home opener against the team that sent them out in game 7 of last year's first round behind a generational Steph Curry performance.

With Warriors F Draymond Green ruled out with an ankle injury, the Kings will have an advantage in the starting rotation. On top of that, a dominant performance from F Harrison Barnes and the starting unit and the highly efficient shooting from the bench unit against the Jazz gives the Kings a slight edge over the 0-1 Warriors after they lost to the Phoenix Suns.

Regardless, this rivalry is always close, with the Warriors getting the best of the Kings in both preseason games as the starters played most of the game.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET.

Projected Starting Lineups:

Kings:

G De'Aaron Fox

G Kevin Huerter

F Keegan Murray

F Harrison Barnes

C Domantas Sabonis

Warriors:

G Chris Paul

G Stephen Curry

G Klay Thompson

F Andrew Wiggins

C Kevon Looney

Key Players:

Kings: De'Aaron Fox

The reigning NBA Clutch Player of the Year didn't have his best shooting game against the Jazz when he went 6-18, but that is negligible this early in the season. Fox was the key player in the playoff series against the Warriors and will have to step up if the Kings want to take down a talented Golden State tonight.

Fox just signed a deal with Curry Brand and Under Armour, which has caused mixed reactions among fans. Fox and Curry have a large mutual respect, but they are still fierce competitors who are going to give everything they have against each other in their match-up tonight.

Warriors: Steph Curry

While this is more of a key match-up, Steph Curry has repeatedly broken Kings fans' hearts, from his 50-point game 7 performance during the 2023 playoffs to most recently knocking down a three at the last second to win 116-115 against the Kings in their second preseason game.

While the addition of Chris Paul will change the way the Warriors' offense operates, big games like this are where Steph Curry thrives - and once he's hot, it's almost impossible to stop him.

Game Preview:

Home or away, this match-up will almost always be a nail-biter. The Kings are currently 3-point favorites, but this game can go either way.

The advantage regardless is to the Kings tonight, with a roaring Golden 1 Center and a fantastic offensive performance behind them in their previous game. The Kings seem to have improved their defense and still look like the most electric team in the NBA. The Warriors, while only losing by 4 to the Suns, were still clearly adjusting to the new rotation. The Kings certainly have a slight edge tonight.

Score Prediction: Kings 113 - 109 Warriors

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