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The Sacramento Kings have lost each of their last four NBA games and now host the Miami Heat at the Golden 1 Center. The Sacramento Kings currently have the worst defense in the NBA and are 11th in the Western Conference with a 12-15 record. De’Aaron Fox has been their best player, and is averaging 23.2 points and 6.8 assists per match.
The Miami Heat, on the other hand, have also struggled to get going, and have had to deal with a number of injuries in recent weeks. They have relied on the likes of Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro, but have struggled for numbers in recent games.
The Miami Heat have faced the Jazz, Warriors and LA Clippers recently and will travel to the Staples Center to take on defending champions LA Lakers on February 20.
Miami Heat vs Sacramento Kings: Injury Updates
Miami Heat
Meyers Leonard and Avery Bradley are long-term absentees and have been joined by Goran Dragic and Chris Silva in recent weeks. The Miami Heat have relied on the presence of Jimmy Butler on both ends of the court, and have seen an improvement in form from his supporting cast.
Despite Butler's performances, they are in the middle of a difficult run of fixtures and will be looking to get a win before taking on the dominant LA Lakers. Jimmy Butler is producing 19.4 points, 7.4 assists, 7.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game, and will be crucial to any playoff charge that the Miami Heat hope to launch.
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings have also suffered from injuries to key players for long periods this season. Richaun Holmes and Harrison Barnes are expected to be the starters that sit out of their match against the Miami heat.
20-year old Tyrese Haliburton has been lethal from the bench, and is averaging 12.4 points and 5.2 assists per game.
He is shooting an incredible 44.3% from the deep and looks to be a proper draft steal for the Sacramento Kings. It is their defense that has struggled so far in the 2020-21 NBA season, and they will go into this match as the underdogs.
Miami Heat vs Sacramento Kings: Predicted Lineups
Miami Heat
Kendrick Nunn has done a decent job in the absence of Goran Dragic, and he is expected to be the starting guard alongside Duncan Robinson. The Miami Heat will be looking at Jimmy Butler to deliver again, with the likes of Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo also contributing offensively of late.
The Miami Heat currently have an 11-17 record and find themselves 11th in the Eastern Conference. They need a run of victories in the coming weeks to get their playoff bid back on track.
Sacramento Kings
Buddy Hield has returned from injury, which means better depth for the Sacramento Kings. Both Haliburton and Hassan Whiteside have done well from the bench, will have to share the scoring load with the starters if the Kings are to emerge victorious against the Miami Heat.
De’Aaron Fox has been in terrific form and they will be hoping for a change in fortunes, with some big matches coming up. The Kings take on the Chicago Bulls next, before coming up against the likes of Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets.
Miami Heat Predicted Lineup
PG Kendrick Nunn SG Duncan Robinson SF Jimmy Butler PF Kelly Olynyk C Bam Adebayo
Sacramento Kings Predicted Lineup
PG Buddy Hield, SG De'Aaron Fox, SF Glen Robinson III, PF Marvin Bagley III, C Richaun Holmes.
Guess the Lakers players!
