Gametime: 7:00 pm PST
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, CA.
Broadcast Information: KHTK Sports 1140 (Radio), News10 (Television)
Sacramento Kings Projected Starters (0-0)
PG: Greivis Vasquez
SG: Marcus Thornton
SF: John Salmons
PF: Patrick Patterson
C: DeMarcus Cousins
Denver Nuggets Projected Starters (0-0)
PG: Ty Lawson
SG: Randy Foye
SF: Wilson Chandler
PF: Kenneth Faried
C: JaVale McGee
What to watch
1. The fans
The scene inside and outside Sleep Train Arena may end up being more memorable than the game itself. Tonight is a night of celebration and triumph for the people of Sacramento. The NBA is still a part of the capital city’s fabric and it’s because of them.
2. The minute distribution for the Kings’ rotation
There’s been plenty of speculation about who starts for the Kings. But what’s more important is which nine or 10 guys will play big minutes this season. There are six players (Greivis Vasquez, Isaiah Thomas, DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson, Jason Thompson and Ben McLemore) who figure to be regulars in Malone’s rotation this year. But tonight will be an opportunity to see who wins out the rest of the minutes between Marcus Thornton and Jimmer Fredette and their small forwards.
3. Defense, defense, defense
The Kings have talked about committing to defense before. But now there’s more credibility coming along with the coach who’s preaching it. Pay particularly close attention to the Kings’ effort on transition defense. The Nuggets have been a thorn in the Kings’ side these past few seasons when it comes to outplaying them on the fastbreak.
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