On January 31, Jimmy Butler destroyed the Kings during their visit to the Miami Heat.
The six-time All-Star helped the Heat defeat the Kings 115-106 at Kaseya Center in Miami with 31 points on 10-of-14 shooting, seven rebounds, six assists, and one steal.
When the Kings meet the Heat at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Monday, they won’t have to worry about Butler matching that effort. Because of their involvement in the brawl that broke out during Miami’s 106-95 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, the NBA suspended Nikola Jovic, Thomas Bryant, and Butler.
The one-game penalties for Butler and Jovic will be served on Monday when the Heat (31-25) play the Kings (32-23). Bryant won’t be available either.
The Heat could be missing several other players as well. Tyler Herro (knee), Orlando Robinson (back) and Terry Rozier (knee) are listed as questionable. Josh Richardson (shoulder) and Dru Smith (knee) are out.
Scouting Sacramento
The Kings will be on the second night of a back-to-back after going on the road to beat the the Los Angeles Clippers 123-107 on Sunday.
With the win, the Kings moved up to fifth in the Western Conference, percentage points ahead of the Dallas Mavericks and Pelicans.
De’Aaron Fox is averaging 26.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.9 steals. He is shooting 46.8% from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range.
Domantas Sabonis averages 20.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and 8.4 assists. He leads the league in rebounding, double-doubles (52) and triple-doubles (20).
Malik Monk (15.2 ppg), Keegan Murray (14.8 ppg), Harrison Barnes (12.1 ppg) and Kevin Huerter (12.1 ppg) are also scoring in double figures.
Scouting Miami
Miami is seventh in the Eastern Conference, one game behind the Indiana Pacers for the No. 6 seed.
Butler leads the team in scoring. Herro is averaging 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Bam Adebayo averages 20.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
Duncan Robinson (13.4 ppg), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (12.8 ppg), Rozier (12.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.6 apg), Caleb Martin (10.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Richardson (9.9 ppg) and Kevin Love (8.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg) are also playing key roles.
Status updates
Miami has ruled Herro and Rozier out for Monday’s game against the Kings.
Heat at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -7.5
Over/under: 226.5
Injury report
Heat: QUESTIONABLE — Tyler Herro (knee); Orlando Robinson (back); Terry Rozier (knee). OUT — Thomas Bryant (suspension); Jimmy Butler (suspension); Nikola Jovic (suspension); Josh Richardson (shoulder); Dru Smith (knee).
Kings: Not yet submitted.
Upcoming schedule
Feb. 26 vs. Miami Heat
Feb. 28 at Denver Nuggets
March 1 at Minnesota Timberwolves
March 4 vs. Chicago Bulls
March 6 at Los Angeles Lakers
