Gametime: 7:00 p.m. PST
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, CA
Broadcast Information: KHTK Sports 1140 (Radio), Comcast SportsNet California (Television)
Sacramento Kings Projected Starters (8-18)
PG: Isaiah Thomas
SG: Ben McLemore
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins
New Orleans Pelicans Projected Starters (11-14)
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Eric Gordon
SF: Al-Farouq Aminu
PF: Ryan Anderson
C: Anthony Davis
What to watch
1. The return of Tyreke Evans
Evans returns to Sacramento for the first time since leaving the Kings through free agency last summer. At first glance, his numbers with his new team don’t jump out (12 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists). But, he is only playing 24.8 minutes per game in a new role off the bench for the Pelicans. As a former franchise cornerstone in Sacramento, Evans will surely receive a warm welcome from the Kings faithful.
2. The Wildcat battle in the middle
DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis are two of the NBA’s top young talented bigs today. They also so happen to both be ex-Kentucky Wildcats. Cousins and Davis each possess unique talents, which will be on display tonight. For Cousins to win the match-up against Davis, the Kings starting center will have to take advantage of his bruising size and power against the Pelicans’ leading man.
3. Ryan Anderson comes home
Tonight is a homecoming for Tyreke Evans, but the same can also be said for Ryan Anderson. The Pelicans power forward grew up in El Dorado Hills, starring for Oak Ridge High School before making the leap to Cal. Growing up a Kings fan himself, Anderson has always been sympathetic to Sacramento during the relocation saga that played out over the last few years. The home crowd can return the favor for Anderson, who is having an All-Star caliber season in spite of a difficult personal ordeal he went through last summer.
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