Gametime: 7:00 p.m. PST
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, CA
Broadcast Information: KHTK Sports 1140 (Radio), News10 (Television)
Sacramento Kings Projected Starters (8-19)
PG: Isaiah Thomas
SG: Ben McLemore
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins
Miami Heat Projected Starters (22-6)
PG: Mario Chalmers
SG: Dwyane Wade
SF: Shane Battier
PF: LeBron James
C: Chris Bosh
What to watch
1. Will the Kings play defense?
Coach Michael Malone had some strong words for his team following Monday night’s 113-100 loss the to the New Orleans Pelicans. Tyreke Evans took his former team to the woodshed, scoring most of his game-high 25 points in the paint. Sacramento is going to need to work out the kinks on the defensive end or this one will be over early.
2. Can Cousins put up another solid game against the world champs?
The last time these two teams met, Cousins scored 27 points on 11-for-15 shooting and added eight rebounds in 32 minutes. Sacramento lost 122-103, but Cousins was the least of Malone’s worries down in South Beach. Cousins has been consistently great all season and this is another opportunity for him to show that he belongs with the NBA’s elite.
3. Does Jimmer bounce back against the Heat?
When these two teams met up last week in Miami, Jimmer Fredette struggled. The third-year guard out of BYU turned the ball over twice and looked out of sorts in four minutes of first-half play. Since then, Malone has repeatedly said that he needs to show more faith in his second unit. Friday night will test that statement by the Kings’ head coach.
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