Gameday: Kings look to rebound with win over Raptors

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The Sacramento Kings took a step backwards Friday with their 99-95 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. On Sunday evening, they draw a quality Toronto Raptors team looking to extend their lead in the Atlantic division on their home floor.

Sacramento has won three of their previous four games, but they are just 2-9 on the road this season and in desperate need of a win. If they hope to climb up the Western Conference rankings, they will have to figure out a way to finish games away from Sleep Train Arena.

DeMarcus Cousins continues to lead the Kings at 25.2 points and 10.7 rebounds and they will need a big night out of their star if they hope to prevail. Cousins matches up against Bismack Biyombo, a limited offensive player with a penchant for playing aggressive defense. Biyombo has started the previous 14 games due to an injury to big man Jonas Valanciunas.

Rudy Gay loves to play against his former team. He remains extremely close with wing DeMar DeRozan who is part of an extremely talented Raptors backcourt. Sacramento will have to figure out a way to slow DeRozan and All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry.

After getting destroyed on the glass Friday night in Minny, the Kings will likely hit the boards hard against an undersized and beat up Raptors team.

LINE

Raptors by 5

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Rajon Rondo vs. Kyle Lowry -- Rajon Rondo returned to action against the Timberwolves after serving a one-game suspension. He continues to lead the league in assists per game, but his defense has been hit and miss all season. On Sunday in Toronto, he will begin the game on All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry who is off to a great start on the season. Lowry scored 22 points and handed out seven assists the last time these two teams met, but Rondo came away with the win.

WHERE THEY STAND

Kings: 10-16, fourth place in Pacific

Raptors: 17-11, first place in Atlantic

INJURY REPORT

Kings: F-C Willie Cauley-Stein (right index finger) out, F Eric Moreland (left foot) out.

Raptors: C Jonas Valanciunas (hand) out, F DeMarre Carroll (right knee) out.

SERIES HISTORY

The Kings knocked off the Raptors at Sleep Train Arena on Nov. 15 and lead the season series 1-0. Sacramento holds a 23-15 advantage all-time over Toronto.

QUOTABLE

“We’ve got to win the games we’re supposed to win. We’ve got to treat every team the same, whether it’s below .500 or it’s a top team in the conference. It’s on us. We can’t have starts the way we did.” -DeMarcus Cousins following the Kings loss to the T-Wolves on Friday.

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