Gametime: 3:00 pm PT
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, CA
Broadcast Information: KHTK Sports 1140 (Radio), Comcast SportsNet California (Local Television)
Sacramento Kings Projected Starters (27-49)
PG: Ray McCallum
SG: Ben McLemore
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Reggie Evans
C: DeMarcus Cousins
Dallas Mavericks Projected Starters (46-31)
PG: Jose Calderon
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Shawn Marion
PF: Dirk Nowitzki
C: Samuel Dalembert
What to watch
1. Tentative or Aggressive
The Kings came out flat in their match-up Friday night against the Golden State Warriors. They made fewer than five baskets in a horrible first quarter that set the tone for the rest of the game. The Kings cannot come out tentative against a team fighting for playoff position like the Mavericks. If he starts again, it will be on rookie Ray McCallum to set the tone for his teammates out on the floor from the lead guard position.
2. Containing Sammy D
In their last match-up, the former Kings center played well against his old team. He got off to a hot start offensively and ended up finishing with 15 points in the victory. Dalembert is coming off a game in which he posted his fifth double-double this season with 14 points and 14 rebounds. If Cousins can stay out of foul trouble, he’ll keep his former teammate too preoccupied on defense to have any impact on offense.
3. Can the Kings own the glass?
The Kings haven’t done many things well this season, but one area of strength has been their ability to clean up the glass. The Kings currently rank third in the NBA in both offensive and defensive rebounding percentage. In their last match-up with the Mavericks, Sacramento out-rebounded Dallas 47-35, including a 14-6 advantage on the offensive glass.
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