Gametime: 4:00 pm PDT
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK.
Broadcast Information: KHTK Sports 1140 (Radio), Comcast SportsNet California (Local Television)
Sacramento Kings Probable Starters (5-1)
PG: Darren Collison
SG: Ben McLemore
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins
Oklahoma City Thunder Probable Starters (1-5)
PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Jeremy Lamb
SF: Lance Thomas
PF: Serge Ibaka
C: Steven Adams
Three things to ponder
1. Showcasing the defense
Minus Kevin Durant (foot) and Russell Westbrook (hand), the Thunder enter Sunday’s contest dead last in the NBA in points per game with 90.5. The Kings are currently ranked fifth in the league in opponent field goal percentage (41.4), so as long as Sacramento maintains its defensive intensity and avoids cheap fouls, the Thunder should struggle mightily.
2. Initiating the offense
On Friday the Kings struggled to operate their halfcourt sets to open the first and third quarters. When Darren Collison was replaced by Ramon Sessions, the structure in the offense practically collapsed. Playing the Thunder will provide a good opportunity to rediscover their rhythm.
3. More bench time
The Thunder are Sacramento’s lightest opponent for the foreseeable future, so this match may be the best time to ease the starters’ minutes and go deep in the rotation. Along with the whole second unit, Ray McCallum should get his chances, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see Derrrick Williams and Ryan Hollins snag a little run.
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