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Best storyline for the game: These are two franchises that have decided they’re better off without Luka Dončić.

How’d the season series go? How relevant was it? The Kings swept the season series 3-0, but I don’t know how relevant it is. None of the games happened with Anthony Davis. And the last game they played against each other was the one where Kyrie Irving tore his ACL. But Sacramento has looked good against them.

Key matchup: Domantas Sabonis against Anthony Davis. If Sabonis can somewhat neutralize AD, then I don’t know how Dallas gets any advantage.=

Key stat: Fourteen! Fourteen 3-pointers. Since the trade deadline, the Kings have made 14 or more 3-pointers in 15 of their 32 games. They’re 10-5 in those games. They’re lighting up opponents like it’s the beam from deep in their wins.

Wild theory for this game: If you “Freaky Friday”-d Sabonis’ necessity to be a 5 with AD’s demand to be a 4, you’d solve a lot of potential roster construction issues for both teams.

Who is the more dangerous No. 8 seed? Dallas’ size could provide an issue for Oklahoma City, who lost to a (very different) Mavericks team in the postseason last year.

Prediction: Kings by six.