Live from the locker room: Kings vs. Magic

Jacque_Vaughn

Here is the latest news live from Sleep Train Arena:

  • The Sacramento Kings (10-9) play their fifth straight without DeMarcus Cousins who should be back for Monday’s match against the Utah Jazz.  Tonight, they get a young Orlando Magic team (8-14) on the final night of their season-long six-game road trip.  After knocking off the Jazz last night in Utah, the Magic can return home with a .500 trip if they can get past the Kings tonight.
  • Orlando comes in shooting 37.3 percent from behind the arc, but according to coach Michael Malone, it’s their transition game that scares him the most.  “They shoot it well from there, but they don’t take a lot of attempts,” Malone said.  “They’re a team that is 26 or 27 in attempts per game.  The bigger concern for me is transition.  They have a lot of young, athletic, energetic guards in Oladipo, Founier, Elfrid Payton, even Tobias Harris that will all look to push and make plays in transition.”
  • The Kings are coming off an emotional and physical overtime win against the Indiana Pacers on Friday night that saw plenty of players get banged up.  Rudy Gay tweaked his left knee, Ben McLemore rolled an ankle and Darren Collison took a hard spill, but all three are scheduled to play tonight.  “As far as I know, they’re fine,” Malone said.  “Obviously guys will be a little bit banged up when you play back-to-back, but shoot, we’re playing a team that’s played four in five, so I’m sure they’re banged up as well. “
  • Orlando comes into tonight without the services of Nikola Vucevic (low back), Aaron Gordon (left foot) and Devyn Marble (rotator cuff).  The Kings have 13 healthy bodies, with rookie Eric Moreland suiting up in place of Cousins (virus).
Arrow to top