Game time: 3:00 p.m. PDT
Where: The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI.
Broadcast Information: KHTK Sports 1140 (Radio), Comcast SportsNet California (Local Television)
Sacramento Kings Probable Starters (14-19)
PG: Darren Collison
SG: Ben McLemore
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins
Detroit Pistons Probable Starters (9-23)
PG: Brandon Jennings
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF: Kyle Singler
PF: Greg Monroe
C: Andre Drummond
Three things to ponder
1. Addition by subtraction
Since waiving Josh Smith on December 22, the Pistons have geared into overdrive. They’re 4-0, shooting 49 percent from the floor, holding opponents to 41.9 percent, and winning by an average of 18 points. Now Detroit will face its first Western Conference foe in Sacramento since ridding themselves of the faulty part.
2. Point guard duel
Brandon Jennings hasn’t shot over 40 percent in a season for three years. But in the absence of Smith, the talented ball handler is averaging 18.3 points on 51.8 percent field goal and 44.4 percent 3-point shooting, adding 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals and only two turnovers in 25.6 minutes per game. Jennings is a more than capable defender, and held Darren Collison to 1-of-10 field goals when they played on December 13.
3. Running wild
When the Kings lost to the Pistons on December 13, Detroit trampled Sacramento to the tune of 31 fast break points. The Pistons have continued to run without Smith, and are containing opposing transitions to a crawl. Allowing Jennings and company to spearhead the break as they did last time will spell doom for the visiting Kings.
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