Game 40 Preview: Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Pelicans

Tyreke Evans against the Sacramento Kings. (Photo: Kimani David)

Gametime: 5:00 pm PT

Where: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA

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

Sacramento Kings Projected Starters (14-25)

PG: Isaiah Thomas
SG: Marcus Thornton
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins

New Orleans Pelicans Projected Starters (16-24)

PG: Brian Roberts
SG: Eric Gordon
SF: Al-Farouq Aminu
PF: Anthony Davis
C: Greg Stiemsma

What to watch

1. Can the Kings right their ship and send New Orleans to their ninth straight defeat?

Sacramento is 1-3 on it’s six game road trip and desperately needs a road win in New Orleans.  They face off against the injury riddled Pelicans and former teammate Tyreke Evans, who had lost eight straight before a 95-92 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies last night.  If the Kings can pull out the win, they travel to Houston to face the Rockets on Wednesday with a legitimate opportunity to come home .500 on the trip.

2. Can Rudy Gay dominate?

After a tremendous 33 point outburst in Minnesota, Gay has struggled in back-to-back games against Tayshaun Prince and Kevin Durant.  With Aminu, followed by Chandler Parsons in the next two games, it is time for the Kings starting small forward to put on a show.  Gay should be well rested after being tossed from the Thunder game with just six points in 27 minutes.

3. Can anyone stop DeMarcus Cousins?

Cousins is riding high after notching his 14th straight double-double against Oklahoma City on Sunday.  The fourth-year center now owns the Sacramento-era record and has set a new NBA season-high for most consecutive double-doubles.  Are Stiemsma and Alexis Ajinca up to the task?

Updated at 7:30 am pst.

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