Game 61 Preview: Sacramento Kings at Milwaukee Bucks

Jason Thompson flips up a shot against the Milwaukee Bucks. (Photo: Steven Chea)

Gametime: 5:00 pm PST

Where: BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI.

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

Sacramento Kings Projected Starters (21-39)

PG: Isaiah Thomas
SG: Ben McLemore
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins

Milwaukee Bucks Projected Starters (12-47)

PG: Brandon Knight
SG: Nate Wolters
SF: Ersan Ilyasova
PF: Khris Middleton
C: Zaza Pachulia



What to watch

1. Can the Kings bring consistent effort to the defensive side of the floor?

Defense is one of the areas where Michael Malone would like to see better consistency from his team.  Since last week’s debaucle against the Houston Rockets, the Kings have found ways to compete on the defensive side of the floor.  In their last two games, they have kept opponents below 100 points per contest while limiting their field-goal percentages (44.2 percent) and 3-point percentages (26.8 percent) in the process.  The Kings will give themselves a much better chance to win if they decide to play good defense against the worst team in the NBA.

2. Can the Kings control their turnovers?

Turnovers have been a major issue for the Kings as of late.  Over the course of their last two games, the Kings averaged a whopping 19 turnovers a contest.  Two of the biggest culprits have been two of their best players.  In Monday’s game alone, Isaiah Thomas and DeMarcus Cousins combined for 11 of Sacramento’s 18 total turnovers.  Valuing possessions is another area that coach Malone would like to see his team do a better job of, beginning tonight against the Bucks.

3. The health of Carl Landry

In his first season back in Sacramento, the veteran big man has had an injury-riddled campaign.  He missed all of the preseason plus the Kings’ first 38 games after tearing his left hip flexor in training camp.  Now, he’s suffering from soreness in his right knee, which has sidelined him for the last three games.  He had an MRI on Monday and was able to travel with the team on this seven-game trip, but whether he plays tonight remains up in the air.

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