The Sacramento Kings will face the Chicago Bulls in a crucial NBA showdown on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at the United Center in Chicago. Both teams are looking to secure a significant win to strengthen their standings in their respective conferences.
Sacramento Kings Preview:
The Kings (19-19) are riding high after an impressive 114-97 win against the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics on Friday night. This victory extended their winning streak to six games, bringing them back to a .500 record. Interim head coach Doug Christie has inspired the team’s positive energy and resilience.
Domantas Sabonis, fresh off a career- and franchise-best 28 rebounds, has been a standout performer. Sabonis, who also provides 20.7 points and 14.2 rebounds per game, will be crucial for Sacramento. DeMar DeRozan’s return to Chicago adds an interesting narrative. DeRozan, who averaged 25.5 points during his three seasons with the Bulls, has continued to excel at Sacramento, scoring 24 points in their last game.
Chicago Bulls Preview:
The Bulls (18-20) have started 2025 strong, winning three of their five games. Zach LaVine’s scoring surge has been critical, recently posting a 33-point performance against Washington and extending his streak of 30+ point games to five.
LaVine joins the likes of Michael Jordan and DeRozan in achieving this milestone for the Bulls. Chicago’s recent dominance against Sacramento bolsters their confidence as they seek consistency and supporting scores beyond LaVine. Nikola Vucevic, who added a double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds against Washington, will be a crucial contributor for the Bulls.
Key Matchup:
The matchup between Domantas Sabonis and Nikola Vucevic will be essential to this game’s outcome. Both players significantly contributed to their teams’ performances with their scoring and rebounding abilities. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan’s performances against their former teams add another intriguing subplot.
Historical Context:
Both teams have split the all-time series 85-85, with Sacramento going 6-4 in the last 10 meetings. This season, the Kings rank eighth in the Western Conference, while the Bulls aim to improve their tenth-place standing in the Eastern Conference.
