Game time: 4:00 p.m. PDT
Where: Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, NC.
Broadcast Information: KHTK Sports 1140 (Radio), Comcast SportsNet California (Local Television)
Sacramento Kings Probable Starters (21-41)
PG: Ray McCallum
SG: Ben McLemore
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Carl Landry
C: DeMarcus Cousins
Charlotte Hornets Probable Starters (28-34)
PG: Mo Williams
SG: Gerald Henderson
SF: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
PF: Marvin Williams
C: Al Jefferson
Three things to ponder
1. A hint of defense
On their current four-game losing streak, the Kings have allowed their opponents to score at least 110 points per match and shoot over 50 percent from the floor. After letting the Hawks reach 130 points, shoot 60.2 percent on field goals and 20-of-36 3-pointers on Monday, Sacramento must look within themselves to find the pride for playing defense against a Charlotte club that ranks 28th in the league in scoring.
2. Ball control (by default)
The reborn Hornets, much like the Kings, struggle to force turnovers, placing last in the NBA in steals. Sacramento is averaging 17.6 turnovers a game under new coach George Karl, but have few excuses for sloppy play facing Steve Clifford’s conservative schemes.
3. Ben’s bounce back
After opening the Kings’ road trip with a 20-point outing versus the Knicks, Ben McLemore notched nine points against the Spurs and went scoreless versus the Magic. Then the second-year pro dropped 17 points in a half before cooling in Miami, and shot 4-of-16 in Atlanta. As the losses pile on, Sacramento is dependent on McLemore to shake off his inconsistencies on both sides of the ball.
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