Gameday: Kings look to quiet controversy with another win

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Programming note: Nets-Kings coverage starts today at 6:30pm with Kings Pregame Live on CSN California, and streaming live right here.

SACRAMENTO -- The Sacramento Kings (2-7) look to make it two in a row when they host the 1-7 Brooklyn Nets Friday night at Sleep Train Arena.

The Nets are coming off their first win of the season against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. Second-year forward Bojan Bogdanovic led the way with 22 points and nine rebounds in the win, snapping Brooklyn’s slide at seven games.

Sacramento has been embroiled in controversy all week and another win would go a long way towards quieting the noise surrounding the beleaguered franchise.

Still short-handed in the backcourt, George Karl will once again turn to Rajon Rondo to carry the bulk of the load at the point.

DeMarcus Cousins is coming off a 33-point, nine-rebound performance and Rudy Gay had a breakout 25-point game. Karl will need all three to play well if he hopes to make it two straight.

OPENING LINE

Kings by 6.5

MATCHUP TO WATCH

DeMarcus Cousins vs. Brook Lopez -- When healthy, Cousins has been the best center in the league. Friday against the Nets, he faces a nice challenge in former All-Star Brook Lopez. Brooklyn’s big man is averaging 19.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. Cousins will likely look to pull him away from the basket with perimeter shot and then beat him off the dribble in space. This should be a nice matchup of two very talented offensive players.

ON THE MOVE 

Rookie forward Duje Dukan has been buried deep on the Kings bench early in the season and now he is on the move. The 23-year-old Wisconsin University product has been allocated to the Reno Bighorns of the NBA D-League, where he is expected to play big minutes.

Dukan was at Bighorns shootaround Friday morning and is expected to play Friday in Reno’s season opener against the Los Angeles D-Fenders.

WHERE THEY STAND

Kings: 2-7, fourth place in Pacific

Nets: 1-7, fourth place in Atlantic

INJURY REPORT 

Kings: PG Darren Collison (hamstring) out, Rudy Gay (gastroenteritis) doubtful, Seth Curry (ankle) questionable.

Nets: F Willie Reed (thumb) out, Chris McCullough (ACL) out

SERIES HISTORY

Brooklyn swept the season series 2-0 last year and currently hold a three-game win streak against the Kings. Sacramento carries a 45-36 all-time franchise lead into Friday night’s contest, but trail the Nets 30-27 in the Sacramento-era.

QUOTABLE

“Patience is a good word in basketball. Last night, I think offensively, we had some good patience. I think just patience in general. It’s a marathon race and it’s not who’s winning in the first mile, it’s the guy who’s winning at the end and playing well at the end. I think we’re all disappointed that we’re not better than we are, but I think we’re all confident that we have a lot of time to get better and get stronger and smarter and get more wins.” -George Karl

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