Gametime: 12:30 pm PDT
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA.
Broadcast Information: KHTK Sports 1140 (Radio), Comcast SportsNet California (Local Television)
Sacramento Kings Probable Starters (1-1)
PG: Darren Collison
SG: Ben McLemore
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins
Los Angeles Clippers Probable Starters (2-0)
PG: Chris Paul
SG: J.J. Redick
SF: Matt Barnes
PF: Blake Griffin
C: DeAndre Jordan
Three things to ponder
1. Building momentum
If you had a dollar for every time the Kings followed a strong effort with a poor one, you could probably afford to buy your own NBA franchise. Michael Malone will expect Friday’s ball movement, activity on defense and communication on the court to continue as they face a team Sunday that swept them in four games last season.
2. Avoiding fouls
The Clippers are currently second in the NBA in free throw attempts with 35 per game. Equally frightening is the fact that they’re second in free throw makes. Blake Griffin is averaging a staggering 11 free throw shots a game and making 82 percent of them, while Chris Paul and Jamal Crawford aren’t far behind with 7.5 and 7 attempts a night respectively. The Kings must find the delicate balance between aggressiveness and avoiding cheap fouls.
3. The point guard battle
Darren Collison was Paul’s backup with the New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers, and now the pupil returns to take on the mentor. The two have faced off so many times in practice over the years that their moves and tendencies are likely no surprise to each other. The physical advantage goes to Paul, but Collison has the motivation to prove to his former teammate that he is worthy of being a starter after all.
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