SACRAMENTO -- After a tough three game losing streak, the Sacramento Kings bounced back on Tuesday with a big 114-106 win over the Utah Jazz. They return to the court Thursday night to take on the New York Knicks looking to make it two in a row at Sleep Train Arena.
The Knicks are coming off a 106-85 drubbing at the hands of the Jazz on Wednesday night. Rookie big man Kristaps Porzingis is the talk of the league, posting an impressive 14.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 28 minutes a contest.
Carmelo Anthony leads New York in scoring at 21.5 points per game. Arron Afflalo and Jose Calderon provide veteran leadership in the backcourt for a Knicks team that has lost three straight.
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LINE
Kings by 5.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Rudy Gay vs. Carmelo Anthony -- The two Maryland products know each other well from their high school days. Anthony continues to pace the Knicks, but at 31, he is no spring chicken and his numbers are down across the board. Gay isn’t off to a great start either, but he’s posted back-to-back 20 point games and he torched Utah with a 10-for-13 shooting night on Tuesday.
NBA
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 8-15, fourth place in Pacific
Knicks: 10-13, third place in Atlantic
INJURY REPORT
Kings: F-C Willie Cauley-Stein (right index finger) out.
Knicks: No injuries to report
SERIES HISTORY
The Kings swept the season series against the Knicks 2-0 last year. Sacramento holds a 151-142 advantage over the Knicks all-time, but New York leads 33-27 during the Sacramento-era.
QUOTABLE
“He’s got a good feel for a young kid. He knows how to get shots already, kind of knows how to get open, his length helps him there. He also has good basketball sense. He’s a student of the game.” -- George Karl on Kristaps Porzingis