Game 13 Preview: Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Lakers

 DeMarcus Cousins faces up against Pau Gasol. (Photo: Steven Chea)

Gametime: 6:30 pm PST

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA.

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

Sacramento Kings Projected Starters (4-8)

PG: Greivis Vasquez
SG: Ben McLemore
SF: Luc Mbah a Moute
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins

Los Angeles Lakers Projected Starters (6-7)

PG: Steve Blake
SG: Jodie Meeks
SF: Wesley Johnson
PF: Pau Gasol
C: Jordan Hill

What to watch

1. DeMarcus Cousins vs. Pau Gasol

This has always been a great matchup to watch.  The 33-year-old Gasol is no longer surrounded by Hall of Fame quality players and he draws one of the best young big men in the league.  Cousins is averaging 21.7 points and 10.7 rebounds on the season and he is coming off a big 23-point, 19-rebound performance against the Clippers on Saturday.  If Cousins can dominate this matchup, the Kings have a solid chance of picking up a win.

2. Who steps up for the Kings not named Cousins or Isaiah Thomas?

Patrick Patterson had a breakout 21-point, seven-rebound performance against the Clippers on Saturday, marking just the second time this season that someone other than Cousins or Thomas has scored 20 points or more in a game for the Kings.  Malone has no idea what he is going to get from 11 of his 13 players on a given night and today’s game will be no different.

3. Can the Kings bring the same level of intensity that they’ve brought the last three games?

After a very slow start to the season, the Kings have played very well over the last three games.  They have a four-day break starting Monday, so there are no excuses for not leaving it all on the floor against the Lakers.  Will we get the good Kings team that won back-to-back games against the Suns and barely lost to the Clippers or will we see the team that lost five in a row early this month?

 

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