Game 26 Preview: Milwaukee Bucks at Sacramento Kings

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Game time: 7:00 p.m. PDT

Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, CA.

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


Sacramento Kings Probable Starters (11-14)

PG: Darren Collison
SG: Ben McLemore
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins

Milwaukee Bucks Probable Starters (13-13)

PG: Brandon Knight
SG: O.J. Mayo
SF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
PF: Zaza Pachulia
C: Johnny O’Bryant


Three things to ponder

1. Thieves

Protect your valuables from the Bucks. The upstart Eastern Conference club is third in the NBA in steals per contest (9.2), and 11 players on their roster average at least half a steal per game. Sacramento, maddeningly careless with the ball this season, needs to stay aware of overzealous defenders.

2. Bucking the paint

Milwaukee stands in the league’s top five in points in the paint this season, but they must weather the loss of rookie second overall pick Jabari Parker (knee), who’s attempted 72 percent of his shots within three feet of the hoop. The Bucks are also without Larry Sanders (suspension), Ersan Ilyasova (face) and John Henson (foot), so the Kings have an easier job defending the interior, especially if DeMarcus Cousins (viral meningitis) makes his first appearance in 11 games.

3. Running ahead

The much-discussed increase in pace with interim head coach Tyrone Corbin resulted in merely eight fast break points in Tuesday’s loss versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. Disgruntled Kings fans expect early dividends, or at least flashes of promise in order to justify the firing of Michael Malone.

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