When: November 13, 2015; 10:00 PM EST
Where: Sleep Train Arena; Sacramento, CA
TV: YES Network/NBA TV
Radio: WFAN
Two days after notching their first win of the season in a fairly big upset on the road against the Houston Rockets, the Brooklyn Nets continue their trip out west tonight in Sacramento. The Kings, coached by George Karl, are also struggling at the outset of this season, but have one of the NBA’s best players in DeMarcus Cousins. They also have center Willie Cauley-Stein, a lottery pick from this past June’s draft.
Rajon Rondo, signed this summer away from the Dallas Mavericks, leads the Sacramento offense which usually also boasts scoring swingman Rudy Gay, who is dealing with a bout of gastroenteritis, so he probably won’t be able to play on Friday. Also, backup point guard Darren Collison is out due to injury. The Kings are in the midst of a five-game homestand and beat the upstart Pistons 101-92 on Wednesday for their second victory of the season.
A big reason the Nets were able to beat Houston two nights ago was due to the impressive play of the bench as guys like Shane Larkin, Bojan Bogdanovic, Thomas Robinson and even Andrea Bargnani were the best they’ve been this year. Brook Lopez was able to win his matchup with Dwight Howard, which he’ll have to at least come close to doing tonight against either Cousins or Cauley-Stein if the Nets are going to have a chance to win.
Probable lineups
BKN- Jarrett Jack (PG), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (SG), Joe Johnson (SF), Thaddeus Young (PF), Brook Lopez (C)
SAC- Rajon Rondo (PG), James Anderson (SG), Caron Butler (SF), DeMarcus Cousins (PF), Willie Cauley-Stein (C)
Final thoughts
This is another winnable game for the Nets, as it’s just their second of the season against a team that wasn’t involved in the 2015 postseason. With Gay out, the Kings offense has to mostly run through Cousins, so if Lopez can somewhat limit his effectiveness — and the Nets are able to make threes like they did in Houston — they have a real chance at their second-straight victory.
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