Game 5 Preview: Sacramento Kings vs. Detroit Pistons

Tyreke Evans catches a breather during the home opener against the Golden State Warriors. (Photo: Steven Chea)

Gametime: 7:00 pm PST

Where:  Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, CA.

Broadcast Information: Click here.

For Pistons perspective, visit fellow TrueHoop Network affiliate PistonPowered.

Sacramento Kings Probable Starters (1-3)

PG: Isaiah Thomas
SG: Tyreke Evans
SF: James Johnson
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins

Detroit Pistons Probable Starters (0-4)

PG: Brandon Knight
SG: Rodney Stuckey
SF: Tayshaun Prince
PF: Jason Maxiell
C: Greg Monroe

Three questions to ponder

1. Do the Pistons come into tonight’s game gassed from last night’s loss in Denver?

With an 0-4 record, the Pistons haven’t had a great start to the new season.  They come into Sacramento after losing last night to the Denver Nuggets.  Tonight is their second game in as many nights and they’re coming off a defeat in the high altitude of the Rockies.  If there was ever a time for the Kings to get their run-and-gun offense on track, it should be this evening against the Pistons.

2. Who wins the battle between DeMarcus Cousins and Greg Monroe?

Both players are coming into Wednesday’s match-up after playing their best games of the season.  Cousins tallied an efficient 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting and pulled down 15 rebounds against the Warriors on Monday.  Monroe, meanwhile, scored a season-high 27 points and grabbed 10 boards in yesterday’s loss to the Nuggets.  The Pistons big man outplayed Cousins in their last meeting in March and also came away with the win.

3. Do the Kings come ready to pounce or do they play down to their competition?

The Kings were notorious for playing down to their competition last season.  This year, they’ve played hard in all four games no matter who the competition.  Sacramento lost two winnable games to Detroit last season.   Underestimating a desperate Pistons team won’t bode well for the Kings if they hope to eke out a win tonight.

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