Gameday: Kings' guard play key with Cousins out vs Heat

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Programming note: Kings-Hawks coverage starts today at 4:00pm with Kings Pregame Live on CSN California, and streaming live right here.

After a disappointing loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, the Sacramento Kings hopped a plane to South Beach, where they will take on Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat Thursday night at American Airlines Arena.

DeMarcus Cousins was suspended by the league for one game on Thursday after he went high with a forearm on Hawks big man Al Horford. With the All-Star big man out, expect reserve center Kosta Koufos to get the starting nod. 

[RELATED: NBA suspends Cousins for forearm to Horford's head]

Koufos and the rest of the Kings bigs will draw a tough defensive assignment in Hassan Whiteside, who is really coming into his own this season for Miami. The Heat center had a 22-point, 14-rebound, 10-block triple-double in Tuesday night’s Heat loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Rajon Rondo posted his fourth triple-double against the Hawks, but he will need to cut down on his turnovers if the Kings have a chance of pulling this one out.

OPENING LINE

Heat by 8

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Dwyane Wade vs. Ben McLemore -- The 11-time All-Star is slowing down a bit in his 13th NBA season, but he’s still averaging 17.1 points and 4.6 assists for the 6-4 Heat. McLemore got off to a slow start this season, but he’s back in the starting lineup and averaging 13.3 over his last three games. Wade will pull out every trick in the book on the young guard.

WHERE THEY STAND

Kings: 4-8, fourth place in Pacific

Heat: 6-4, second place in Southeast

INJURY REPORT

Kings: No injuries reported

Heat: F Amar’e Stoudemire (knees) questionable.

SERIES HISTORY

Sacramento has lost two straight to the Heat, including a 114-110 overtime loss in Miami late last season. The Heat hold a 36-17 advantage all-time over the Kings.

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