The Sacramento Kings (5-17) limp into Miami to face the Heat (14-8) in a cross-conference mismatch that highlights the Kings’ early-season struggles against the Heat’s gritty, defensive-minded identity. Sacramento, dead last in the Western Conference at 14th, is reeling from a rash of injuries and poor execution, desperate for a road win to salvage a dismal start. Miami, firmly entrenched at 4th in the East and leading the Southeast Division, looks to extend their strong home form (8-3) and capitalize on Sacramento’s vulnerabilities. With the Kings’ high-pace offense (8th in possessions) clashing against Miami’s elite perimeter defense (3rd in opponent 3PT%), this could be a low-scoring slugfest if the Heat dictate tempo, or a shootout if Sacramento’s guards get hot. The Heat’s depth gives them a clear edge in a bounce-back spot after a mid-week stumble.
Game Information
Tipoff: 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT)
Venue: Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida (Capacity: 19,600; Home of the Miami Heat since 2012, located at 601 Biscayne Blvd in downtown Miami; renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and Heat’s 70% home win rate)
Broadcast: Bally Sports Sun (Heat), NBC Sports California (Kings), NBA TV national; Streaming on NBA League Pass; Radio on 790 The Ticket for Heat fans
Officials: To be announced (NBA reveals assignments 24 hours prior)
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Conference Record | Home/Away Split | ATS Record | O/U Record |
| Sacramento Kings | 5-17 (.227) | 3-10 West | 3-8 Home / 2-9 Away | 7-14-1 | 11-11 |
| Miami Heat | 14-8 (.636) | 9-5 East | 8-3 Home / 6-5 Away | 12-10 | 9-13 |
Sacramento ranks 29th in net rating (-8.2), while Miami sits 7th (+5.1), excelling in defensive efficiency (4th at 108.9 points allowed per 100 possessions).
Recent Team Forms
The Kings are in freefall with a four-game skid, plagued by turnovers (15.2 per game, 28th) and rebounding woes. Miami has won three of their last five but dropped a road heartbreaker mid-week, leaning on home dominance (120.4 PPG at Kaseya Center).
Sacramento Kings (1-4 in last 5 games):
Dec 4: L 121-95 vs. Houston Rockets (demolished; 39.2% FG, outrebounded 52-38)
Dec 2: L 125-127 vs. San Antonio Spurs (OT loss; LaVine 28 points but 18 team turnovers)
Nov 30: W 140-113 @ San Antonio Spurs (season-high scoring; 52% FG in road romp)
Nov 28: L 110-115 @ Memphis Grizzlies (defensive lapse; allowed 14 threes)
Nov 26: L 98-112 vs. Portland Trail Blazers (off night; 41.5% from deep)
Kings average 112.8 PPG (22nd) but surrender 120.6 PPG (27th), with road games averaging 232.1 total points.
Miami Heat (3-2 in last 5 games):
Dec 3: L 108-118 @ Dallas Mavericks (edged in fourth; Powell 25 points, but 14 turnovers)
Dec 1: W 140-123 vs. LA Clippers (Adebayo triple-double: 22 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists)
Nov 29: W 127-117 vs. Washington Wizards (Herro 24 points; 48% 3PT)
Nov 27: W 106-103 @ Charlotte Hornets (clutch win; Mitchell 19 points in road grit)
Nov 25: L 135-138 vs. Detroit Pistons (high-scoring thriller; blew late lead)
Heat score 118.2 PPG at home (6th) and limit foes to 110.1 PPG (5th defensively).
Injury Report
Injuries are devastating Sacramento’s frontcourt, while Miami monitors key guards ahead of tip-off. Latest from NBA injury report as of December 5, 5:30 PM ET (updates possible at shootaround):
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Est. Return |
| Kings | Domantas Sabonis | C | OUT | Left knee (partially torn meniscus) | Late December (3-4 weeks) |
| Kings | Dennis Schröder | PG | QUESTIONABLE | Right hip soreness | Dec 6 (GTD) |
| Kings | Devin Carter | PG | OUT | Illness | Dec 7 |
| Kings | Dylan Cardwell | C | OUT | G League two-way | N/A |
| Kings | Maxime Raynaud | C | PROBABLE | Ankle | Dec 6 |
| Heat | Tyler Herro | SG | OUT | Right big toe irritation (MRI pending) | Dec 8 |
| Heat | Terry Rozier | PG | OUT | Not injury related (personal) | Dec 18 |
| Heat | Norman Powell | SG | QUESTIONABLE | Left ankle sprain | Dec 6 (GTD) |
| Heat | Myron Gardner | G | OUT | G League two-way | N/A |
| Heat | Vladislav Goldin | C | OUT | G League two-way | N/A |
Sabonis’ absence (19.2 PPG, 12.3 RPG) cripples Kings’ interior; Schröder’s status impacts playmaking. For Miami, Herro’s toe (out for Dec 5 vs. Magic) shifts scoring to Powell (if available, 25.0 PPG lately).
Key Player Matchups
Sacramento’s depleted bigs face Miami’s switchable defense, while the Kings’ backcourt speed tests the Heat’s pressure (9.1 SPG, 2nd in NBA). Pace (Kings 8th at 100.2 possessions) favors transition battles.
De’Aaron Fox (Kings PG, 22.4 PPG, 6.1 APG) vs. Terry Rozier (Heat PG, OUT; sub: Andrew Larsson): Fox’s burst (1.4 SPG) exploits Rozier’s absence; Larsson’s inexperience could lead to 20+ points if Fox pushes tempo. Heat rank 3rd in opponent fast-break points.
Keegan Murray (Kings SF, 18.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG) vs. Jimmy Butler (Heat SF, 17.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG): Murray’s shooting (38% 3PT) vs. Butler’s two-way menace (1.1 SPG). Butler’s held wings to 42% lately; Kings’ 14th in paint points vulnerable.
Zach LaVine (Kings SG, 20.7 PPG) vs. Norman Powell (Heat SG, QUES., 23.8 PPG): LaVine’s scoring volume (33.8 MPG) tests Powell’s defense (1.2 SPG). If Powell sits, Miami’s backcourt thins; LaVine’s hit 25+ in 6 of last 10.
Maxime Raynaud (Kings C, PROB., 13.6 PPG) vs. Bam Adebayo (Heat C, 19.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG): Raynaud fills Sabonis’ role vs. Adebayo’s versatility (0.8 BPG). Heat 6th in offensive rebounding; expect Adebayo double-double.
Bench: Heat’s Kel’el Ware (value play, 43.5 FPTS lately) vs. Kings’ Malik Monk for spark.
Series History
Miami dominates historically, but Sacramento has flipped recent scripts with back-to-back wins (average total: 224.8 points). Over 73 regular-season meetings:
All-Time Record: Heat 47-26
At Kaseya Center: Heat 25-10
Last 10 Meetings: Kings 5-5
Recent Results:
Jan 6, 2025: Kings 123-118
Nov 4, 2024: Kings 111-110
Feb 26, 2024: Heat 121-110
Jan 31, 2024: Heat 115-106
Nov 2, 2022: Heat 110-107
Kings are 4-6 ATS in last 10 but 6-4 O/U; Heat 7-3 SU at home vs. West teams.
Betting Trends
Heat 4-1 SU in last 5 home vs. West bottom-10.
Kings 1-9 SU in last 10 road; 5-5 ATS as dogs.
Over cashed in 7 of Heat’s last 10 (line up from 239.5); sharp money on Heat -7.5 (68% handle).
Game Odds
Sacramento Kings 238.5
Miami Heat – 8.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
