Gametime: 6:00 pm PST
Where: U.S. Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ.
Broadcast Information: KHTK Sports 1140 (Radio), Comcast SportsNet California (Television)
Sacramento Kings Projected Starters (6-14)
PG:Isaiah Thomas
SG:Ben McLemore
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Jason Thompson/Derrick Williams
C: DeMarcus Cousins
Phoenix Suns Projected Starters (12-9)
PG: Eric Bledsoe
SG: Goran Dragic
SF: P.J. Tucker
PF: Channing Frye
C: Miles Plumlee
What to watch
1. How will Rudy Gay fare?
Coach Michael Malone announced on Thursday that Gay is his new starting small forward after just one practice with his new team. It’s not the perfect situation, but when your team is 6-14 on the season, what do you have to lose? Gay’s shooting struggles in Toronto have been well documented. Will the 27-year old scorer ease into a role on his new team or will he come out firing?
2. With Gay at the small forward position, who starts at the four?
Derrick Williams has been very good in his first seven games with the Kings. With averages of 12.9 points and 5.4 rebounds in 28.4 minutes per game, he was well on his way to proving that he is a starting NBA small forward. But everything changed with the addition of Gay. Does Williams slide over to the power forward position and unseat veteran Jason Thompson? Or is he the new super-sub off the bench?
3. Can Jimmer Fredette solidify the backup point guard position?
It’s been a rough start to the 2013-14 season for Jimmer, but a door has swung open. He was better in Wednesday’s loss to the Jazz than he was in the Kings win over Dallas on Monday, but Malone needs more. Can Jimmer regain the magic that made him one of the most entertaining players in college history? Or will he stumble and allow rookie Ray McCallum the chance to take his minutes?
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