Game time: 7:00 p.m. PDT
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, CA.
Broadcast Information: KHTK Sports 1140 (Radio), Comcast SportsNet California (Local Television), NBA TV
Sacramento Kings Probable Starters (9-9)
PG: Darren Collison
SG: Ben McLemore
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Jason Thompson
C: Ryan Hollins
Indiana Pacers Probable Starters (7-12)
PG: Rodney Stuckey
SG: Solomon Hill
SF: Chris Copeland
PF: David West
C: Roy Hibbert
Three things to ponder
1. Heart
Despite missing Paul George and George Hill for the season and David West for all but four games, the Pacers have managed to keep themselves alive in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Kings have lost four games in a row overall and the last three by an average margin of nine points without DeMarcus Cousins (virus). Indiana knows how to step up as a collective unit, but does Sacramento?
2. Backcourt pressure
Indiana’s backcourt is the team’s weakness, as career-reserve Donald Sloan and streaky Rodney Stuckey are shooting 37.9 and 40.9 percent from the floor respectively this season. In addition, backup point C.J. Watson is coming off a foot injury, so strong defenders Darren Collison and Ben McLemore should have a field day.
3. Defending the glass
The Pacers are absolutely dominant on the boards, hauling down 12.2 offensive rebounds per game and ranking second in the NBA in total rebounds per game. Indiana’s frontcourt is big, strong and enviously deep, so a Sacramento team minus Cousins needs all players on the floor to crash the glass.
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