
Programming note: Raptors-Kings coverage starts today at 5:30pm with Kings Pregame Live on CSN California, and streaming live right here.
SACRAMENTO – With back-to-back wins over the Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets, the Sacramento Kings (3-7) look to make it three in a row Sunday at Sleep Train Arena against the visiting Toronto Raptors (7-3).
DeMarcus Cousins is coming off a huge 40-point, 13-rebound performance on Friday night. The Kings All-Star big currently ranks fourth in the league in scoring at 26.7 points and sixth in rebounding at 11.2 per game.
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Point guard Rajon Rondo has notched consecutive triple-doubles and is averaging 14.8 points, 14 assists and 9.8 rebounds over his last four contests. Rondo trails only Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook in assists per game at 9.1 and he currently ranks in the top 10 in steals at 2.1 a night.
The Raptors come to Sacramento winners of two straight and currently sit in first place in the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic division. DeMar DeRozan leads Toronto at 20.8 points per game and 29-year-old All-Star Kyle Lowry is averaging 19.4 points and 6.5 assists.
OPENING LINE
Raptors by 2.5
NBA
MATCHUP TO WATCH
DeMarcus Cousins vs. Jonas Valanciunas -- Cousins is on a roll since returning from a right Achilles injury and he is tearing through the best bigs the Eastern Conference has to offer. At 23-years-old, Valanciunas is beginning to play to his enormous potential. The Lithuanian product is currently averaging career-highs in points (15.1) and rebounds (10.2), but he faces an extremely motivated Cousins on Sunday evening.
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 3-7, fourth place in Pacific
Raptors: 7-3, first place in Atlantic
INJURY REPORT
Kings: PG Darren Collison (left hamstring) doubtful, SF Rudy Gay (gastroenteritis) probable, SG Seth Curry (R ankle) probable.
Raptors: SF Terrence Ross (thumb) out.
SERIES HISTORY
The Kings have lost three straight to the Raptors, but lead the all-time series 22-15 and hold a 15-3 advantage over Toronto at Sleep Train Arena.
QUOTABLE
“I feel good when we win. My only concern is these guys in this locker room. All that other stuff, I don’t really care about, or anybody else. My only concern is these guys in this locker room - that’s it.”