The Memphis Grizzlies play host to the Sacramento Kings at FedEx Forum on Thursday.

The Kings (31-38) come into this matchup, winning six of their last seven games. That has kept their playoff hopes on a very thin string, sitting 2.5 games back of the San Antonio Spurs in 10th. That means the Kings need to go undefeated over their final three games while San Antonio needs to lose out. That's asking a lot but to still be in it with only five days remaining is encouraging nonetheless. What makes this run even more amazing is the fact that they've been doing it without De'Aaron Fox. The speedy point guard leads the team with about 25 points and seven assists a game but continues to miss games due to COVID protocols. There is some thought he could return here, and that'd be a huge boost to this final playoff push.

The Grizzlies (36-33) are rolling themselves, winning three of their last four games coming into this matchup. That run has guaranteed them a playoff berth, but it looks like they'll be in the play-in tournament. They currently sit ninth, and the highest they can get to is eighth. That's quite the jump for this young club, though, and there aren't many franchises with brighter futures. Jaren Jackson Jr and Ja Morant are among the best young duos in the NBA, while Jonas Valanciuas has developed into one of the best centers. That's a fantastic core to build around, and it might be a popular free agent destination come summertime.

These teams played back on Valentine's Day, with Memphis prevailing, 124-110. Before that, the Kings won seven of their previous nine games over the Grizzlies in this series.