Game 71 Preview: Sacramento Kings vs. New York Knicks

Mike Woodson instructs players on the floor during Knicks/Kings match-up in 2012. (Photo: Steven Chea)

Gametime: 7:00 pm PT

Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, CA

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

Sacramento Kings Projected Starters (24-44)

PG: Isaiah Thomas
SG: Ben McLemore
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Reggie Evans
C: DeMarcus Cousins

New York Knicks Projected Starters (29-42)

PG: Raymond Felton
SG: J.R. Smith
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Amar’e Stoudemire
C: Tyson Chandler



What to watch

1. Will Isaiah Thomas play?

Thomas has played in all 70 games for the Sacramento Kings this season and night in and night out, he has been really good.  The Kings announced on Tuesday that Thomas sat out practice and is questionable with a right quad contusion, but don’t count the 5-foot-9 guard out.  Malone would like to give rookie second-round pick Ray McCallum a long look, but with no depth behind him, it’s hard to see Sacramento benching Thomas entirely.

2. Will Royce White see extended minutes?

For the second straight game, we ask this question, but this time we really mean it:  After playing just 56 seconds in his debut and 49 seconds in game number two, coach Malone promised he would try to take the training wheels off and let White play a few more minutes on Wednesday.  White has yet to score a basket, grab a rebound or make an assist in his NBA career.  It’s hard to assess anything from the 22-year-old forward in his stint with the Kings so far.

3. Can the Kings play spoiler?

With 11 games left in the season, the Knicks sit three games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race.  After laying a serious egg in Los Angeles Tuesday night, the Knicks have very little margin for error.  The Kings have been playing tough basketball of late and would love nothing more than to pin a loss on their visitors from the East.



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