The Sacramento Kings won’t be favored to win many games over the least seven weeks of the season.
The Kings aren’t even favored to beat the Memphis Grizzlies in Monday’s game at FedExForum, but oddsmakers are expecting a close contest with a 2 ½-point spread as Sacramento tries to end a historic losing streak.
The Kings (12-46) haven’t won a game since Jan. 16. They have lost 16 in a row to break an all-time franchise record that was previously shared by the 1959-60 and 1971-72 Cincinnati Royals.
Sacramento has the worst record in the NBA. Memphis isn’t very good either.
The Grizzlies (21-34) are 11th in the Western Conference, five games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the final play-in spot. They have lost five of their last six games, including a 136-120 loss to the Miami Heat on Saturday.
The Kings are listing Devin Carter as questionable for Monday’s game due to lower back soreness. Dylan Cardwell is out with a left ankle sprain. Domantas Sabonis (knee), Zach LaVine (finger) and De’Andre Hunter (eye) will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair their respective injuries.
The Grizzlies have a lengthy injury report as well. Ty Jerome is questionable due to illness. Kyle Anderson is doubtful due to right knee soreness. Ja Morant (elbow), Santi Aldama (knee), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (finger), Brandon Clarke (calf), Cedric Coward (knee) and Zach Edey (ankle) are out.
Sacramento is 0-3 against Memphis this season. The Grizzlies beat the Kings 137-96 on Nov. 20 in Memphis. They also beat the Kings twice in Sacramento, winning 115-107 on Nov. 30 and 128-125 on Feb. 4.
Jaylen Wells, a Sacramento native and former Folsom High School star, has played well against his hometown team. The second-year forward has averaged 15.3 points while shooting 53.8% from the field and 64.7% from 3-point range in three games against the Kings this season.
Kings at Grizzlies
When: 5 p.m.
Where: FedExForum
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Grizzlies -2.5
Over/under: 232.5
Injury report
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Devin Carter (back). OUT — Dylan Cardwell (ankle); De’Andre Hunter (eye); Zach LaVine (finger); Domantas Sabonis (knee); Isaiah Stevens (G League).
Grizzlies: QUESTIONABLE — Ty Jerome (illness). DOUBTFUL — Kyle Anderson (knee). OUT — Santi Aldama (knee); Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (finger); Brandon Clarke (calf); Cedric Coward (knee); Zach Edey (ankle); Ja Morant (elbow).