Game 10 Preview: Sacramento Kings vs. Phoenix Suns

Isaiah Thomas chases Goran Dragic on defense. (Photo: Jonathan Santiago)

Gametime: 7:00 pm PST

Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, CA.

Broadcast Information: KHTK Sports 1140 (Radio), Comcast SportsNet California (Television)

Sacramento Kings Projected Starters (2-7)

PG:Greivis Vasquez
SG:Ben McLemore
SF: Luc Mbah a Moute
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins

Phoenix Suns Projected Starters (5-4)

PG: Eric Bledsoe
SG: Goran Dragic
SF: P.J. Tucker
PF: Channing Frye
C: Miles Plumlee

What to watch

1. Will the Kings show up to play for all four quarters?

The Kings’ biggest issue this season has been their lackadaisical effort.  Too many times through their first nine games have the Kings gone stretches where they play without any energy and it’s a big reason why they’ve won just two games.  The Suns are team that is comparable in talent to Sacramento if and only if the Kings decide to show up for a change.

2. More Travis Outlaw?

Outlaw scored 18 points in just under 20 minutes in Sunday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.  Out of the three small forwards the Kings have on their roster, Outlaw has by far been the most consistent.  Since training camp, the veteran forward has earned his minutes by trying on defense and bringing some edge to the Kings in the rebounding department.  Michael Malone could turn to Outlaw depending on what he gets from Luc Mbah a Moute and John Salmons this evening.

3. Can DeMarcus Cousins find a groove against the Suns?

Cousins did not battle foul trouble Sunday, but was limited to just 18 minutes in the defeat to Memphis.  Unlike Sunday versus the Grizzlies, the Kings starting center won’t have an All-Star big man to handle this time around.  If there was ever a time for Cousins to find his rhythm, it’d be tonight against second-year center Miles Plumlee.

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