Gametime: 6:00 pm PT
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, CO.
Broadcast Information: TV – News 10, Radio – CBS Sports 1140
For Nuggets perspective, visit TrueHoop Network Affiliate Roundball Mining Company.
The book on the Nuggets: The Nuggets are the hottest team in the Western Conference right now. They’re winners of 14-straight games, their longest win streak since joining the league following the NBA/ABA merger. Denver has also been practically unbeatable at home, where they’ve won 16 games in a row.
Did you know? For a team that’s struggled with a chronic case of hero mode the last two seasons, the Kings have been doing a much better job sharing the ball recently. They recorded 20 or more assists in 14 of their last 15 games.
Status Updates: James Johnson continues to be away from the team dealing with personal matters.
Sacramento Kings Probable Starters (25-44)
PG: Isaiah Thomas
SG: Tyreke Evans
SF: John Salmons
PF: Jason Thompson
C: DeMarcus Cousins
Denver Nuggets Probable Starters (48-22)
PG: Ty Lawson
SG: Andre Iguodala
SF: Danilo Gallinari
PF: Kenneth Faried
C: Kosta Koufos
Stats
Kings
- Points Per Game: 99.7
- Offensive Rating: 105.9
- Opponents Points Per Game: 104.7
- Defensive Rating: 111.2
- Pace: 93.3
Nuggets
- Points Per Game: 106.0
- Offensive Rating: 110.2
- Opponents Points Per Game: 101.1
- Defensive Rating: 105.1
- Pace: 95
Three questions to ponder
1. Can the Kings shock the Nuggets and end Denver’s 14-game winning streak?
Outside of the Miami Heat, no team in the NBA has been hotter than the Nuggets. They’ve picked up wins over playoff teams like Oklahoma City, Chicago, Atlanta and Memphis in their franchise-setting winning streak. They also beat the Kings to pick up their sixth victory in the streak. It’ll be a tall order for the Kings, who have lost eight-straight games to the Nuggets. However, Sacramento has played some of their best ball of the season, posting a 4-2 record in their last six games.
2. Will Marcus Thornton light up the Nuggets with the long ball?
The Nuggets really had no answer for Thornton last time out. The Kings sixth man scored 32 points on 12-for-21 shooting, including 5-of-11 from 3-point range. However, Thornton was a non-factor in the win over the Timberwolves, finishing with just two points in nine-and-a-half minutes of action on Thursday. Will he get an opportunity to make a difference from beyond the arc in tonight’s game?
3. Can the Kings keep a Nuggets reserve from scoring 20 or more points?
In Denver’s 101-100 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Corey Brewer torched the nets by scoring a career-high 29 points off the Nuggets’ bench. When the Nuggets have one of their reserves match or break the 20-point threshold, they’ve posted a 14-1 record this season. No Denver bench player met or broke that barrier in the match-up earlier this month. Andre Miller was the only reserve to come close when he scored 16 points in the Nuggets’ seven-point victory on Mar. 5 .
Statistical support provided by NBA.com.
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