Gametime: 6:00 pm PDT
Where: US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ.
Broadcast Information: KHTK Sports 1140 (Radio), Comcast SportsNet California (Local Television)
Sacramento Kings Probable Starters (4-1)
PG: Darren Collison
SG: Ben McLemore
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins
Phoenix Suns Probable Starters (3-2)
PG: Goran Dragic
SG: Eric Bledsoe
SF: Marcus Morris
PF: Markieff Morris
C: Miles Plumlee
Three things to ponder
1. A clash of philosophies
The Suns outsprint their competition (ranking second in the NBA in fast break points according to teamrankings.com) and set up 3’s. The Kings favor operating in the halfcourt, shooting within the arc (29th in 3-point attempts) and bodying up defenders (first in the league in free throw attempts with 40 per game). It will be crucial how either team adapts to the play style of the other.
2. Slowing the little engine
Isaiah Thomas, is currently averaging 18.6 points per game on 52.3 percent shooting from the floor and 40.9 percent from behind the arc, and he has a score to settle with his former employer. The ex-King will come off the bench early, and the entire backcourt rotation will be tasked with defending the ultra-quick spark plug.
3. Five wins in a row?
The last time the Kings won five regular season games in a row, they did so playing a team which doesn’t exist today. On February 10, 2007, a starting lineup of Mike Bibby, Kevin Martin, Ron Artest, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Kenny Thomas defeated Ray Allen’s SuperSonics in Seattle 114-93. The Suns are the Kings’ first of four opponents on their week-long road trip, so a fifth straight win would go a long way.
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