In the second part of the forty-second of the Hot Hand Theory Podcast, XJ and Geoff dive deep into the Sacramento Kings’ stunning turnaround after firing head coach Mike Brown and turning to Doug Christie as their interim leader. The Kings have won five straight games, including a double-overtime thriller against Miami, and we’re breaking down exactly how they’ve managed this resurgence—starting with one unexpected hero: Keon Ellis.

Key Topics:

• Keon Ellis’ Breakout – How his defense (97th percentile DLEBRON) and shooting have stabilized the rotation.

• Fox & DeRozan Lineups – Why Sacramento’s success hinges on staggering their stars and playing Ellis alongside them (+14.1 net rating when Ellis shares the court).

• Defensive Overhaul – Sacramento ranks 5th in defense post-Mike Brown and is up to 9th in net rating.

• Playoff Outlook – Can this new lineup sustain success and push the Kings into the upper-middle tier of the Western Conference?

The Kings are officially back, and we’re breaking down what it means for their playoff chances and future lineup strategies.

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