Gametime: 4:30 pm PT
Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL.
Broadcast Information: TV – Comcast SportsNet California, Radio – CBS Sports 1140
For Heat perspective, visit fellow TrueHoop Network affiliate Heat Index.
The book on the Heat: The defending champions have been dominant in February. The Heat has lost just one game while winning 11 in the shortest month of the year. LeBron James is well, LeBron James. Shooting career highs from the field (56.7 percent) and 3-point land (41 percent), he’s on pace to win the fourth MVP title of his career.
Did you know? Miami has won 38 straight games when they’ve out-rebounded opponents by double-figures.
Sacramento Kings Probable Starters (19-38)
PG: Isaiah Thomas
SG: Tyreke Evans
SF: John Salmons
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins
Miami Heat Probable Starters (40-14)
PG: Mario Chalmers
SG: Dwyane Wade
SF: LeBron James
PF: Udonis Haslem
C: Chris Bosh
Stats
Kings
- Points Per Game: 97.1
- Offensive Rating: 104.1
- Opponents Points Per Game: 104.3
- Defensive Rating: 111.8
- Pace: 92.6
Heat
- Points Per Game: 103.2
- Offensive Rating: 112.6
- Opponents Points Per Game: 96.1
- Defensive Rating: 104.9
- Pace: 90.6
Three questions to ponder
1. Which new King leaves his imprint on tonight’s game?
Patrick Patterson was relegated to garbage minutes in his Kings’ debut on Sunday. Since the third-year forward didn’t practice or have shootaround heading into the Kings’ last outing, Keith Smart played it safe with his new addition. With a day in between games, Patterson will have some experience with his new teammates prior to tonight’s contest against the Heat. Toney Douglas and Cole Aldrich weren’t centerpieces in the deal with Houston, but could certainly find time if Smart falls in love with certain match-ups that play out on the court.
2. Can Isaiah Thomas torch the Heat again?
The last time these two teams met, Thomas seemed to be the only King who showed up to play. He set a career-high in points, leading Sacramento with 34 on 13-of-22 shooting from the field. Thomas has arguably been the Kings’ best player following the All-Star Break. In three games after his trip to Houston, the 24-year-old guard is averaging 22.7 points on 50-percent shooting from the field and five assists per game.
3. Will Tyreke Evans bounce back from his struggles around the rim Sunday?
Despite his career struggles from outside, Evans can always be counted on to finish inside. But on Sunday, the fourth-year swingman couldn’t buy a bucket around the rim, finishing an uncharacteristic 2-of-12 on shots inside the restricted area. This season, he is shooting 63.4 percent on shots around the rim according to Basketball-Reference.
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