The Sacramento Kings travel to Los Angeles Saturday night to battle the Clippers looking for a second straight win.
They face a beat up Clippers team that keeps finding ways to win. Los Angeles has taken full advantage of a soft spot in their schedule, rattling off 10 straight victories despite playing below full strength.
Rudy Gay is coming off a big 24-point, 9-rebound game against the Jazz on Thursday that included the game winner with .6 seconds remaining. Like big man DeMarcus Cousins, Gay is having a great start to the new year, averaging 20 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 53.3 percent from the floor in the month of January.
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Blake Griffin continues to miss games for the Clippers due to a torn quad and big man DeAndre Jordan is day-to-day with pneumonia. With the Clippers bigs ailing, former King Cole Aldrich stepped in and dropped 19 points and seven rebounds in Los Angeles win of the Heat on Wednesday.
LINE
Clippers by 6
MATCHUP TO WATCH
NBA
Rajon Rondo vs. Chris Paul -- This is a matchup of two of the league’s best assist men. Rondo leads the league in dimes at 11.6 per contest, while Paul is tied for second with John Wall at 9.6 per game. Paul has his team rolling, and he’s well on his way to his ninth straight All-Star appearance. Rondo has his team on the cusp of the playoff picture, but he’s still searching for consistency, especially on the defensive end.
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 16-23, third place in Pacific
Clippers: 26-13, second place in Pacific
INJURY REPORT
Kings: No injuries reported.
Clippers: F Blake Griffin (torn quad) out, C DeAndre Jordan (pneumonia) out.
SERIES HISTORY
The Clippers have won both matchups between these two teams this season, but the Kings hold a 112-85 lead in the all-time series and a 68-62 advantage during the Sacramento-era.
QUOTABLE
“I hate them, honestly, I do. I hate them.” --DeMarcus Cousins on the Clippers earlier this season