Game 21 Preview: Sacramento Kings at Milwaukee Bucks

Marcus Thornton vs. Brandon Jennings (Photo:Steven Chea)

Gametime: 5:00 pm PT

Where:  BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI.

Broadcast Information: Click here.

For Bucks perspective, visit fellow TrueHoop Network affiliate Bucksketball.

Sacramento Kings Probable Starters (7-13)

PG: Aaron Brooks
SG: Francisco Garcia
SF: John Salmons
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins

Milwaukee Bucks Probable Starters (10-9)

PG: Brandon Jennings
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Marquis Daniels
PF: Larry Sanders
C: Ekpe Udoh

Three questions to ponder

1. What kind of production do the Kings get out of their bench?

The Kings bench offered very little support in Monday’s blowout loss in Dallas.  The seven reserves who played two nights ago combined to score just 21 points.  Marcus Thornton, who has been struggling as of late, was the only bench player to score double figures, finishing with 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting in roughly 19 minutes of action.  The bench’s lack of production was the main reason why that game got out of hand in the second period.  The Kings will need more from their reserves tonight in order to come away with a win in Milwaukee.

2. Will the Bucks have a block party tonight against the Kings?

Milwaukee is the best in the NBA when it comes to blocking shots.  They currently lead the league, averaging 7.68 blocks per contest.  They’re anchored defensively by third-year big man Larry Sanders, who has been a force protecting the paint.  Per 36 minutes, Sanders is averaging 11.8 points, 11.6 rebounds and a whopping 4.7 blocks per game.  From Nov. 30 to Dec. 3, the former VCU big man made franchise history by swatting 22 shots in a three-game span, besting a previous record set by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.  The Kings are currently the sixth best team in the league when it comes to scoring in the paint, but will Milwaukee’s shot-blocking prowess be too much for them tonight?

3. Will we see another King put together a surprise performance?

In the blowout against the Mavs, it was Francisco Garcia.  Starting in place of an injured Tyreke Evans, the veteran swingman played perhaps his finest game in years, scoring 25 points and making a career-high seven 3-point shots.  In Saturday’s victory over the Blazers, it was Travis Outlaw who came out of the blue to play well.  After sitting out the Kings’ previous two games, the nine-year veteran poured in 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting in Sacramento’s first road victory of the season.  If Evans misses another game due to his sore left knee, the Kings will need someone to step up in his absence.

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