SACRAMENTO -- The Sacramento Kings return to Sleep Train Arena Wednesday night trying to make it two in a row. They face off with a Chicago Bulls team that is scuffling a bit, losing five of their previous seven.
There is no official word yet, but DeMarcus Cousins, Rajon Rondo and Ben McLemore all participated in shootaround this morning after being listed as questionable on Tuesday evening’s injury report. Both Cousins and McLemore missed Monday night’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks due to injury.
[HAM: While Cousins looks healthy, Kings may miss another key]
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SIGN UP HERE The Bulls have hit the midway point of their season-long seven game road trip out west. They lost a tough overtime game in Utah on Monday by a final of 105-96. All-Star Jimmy Butler led the way with 26 points, six assists and seven rebounds.
LINE
Kings by 2
MATCHUP TO WATCH
NBA
DeMarcus Cousins vs. Pau Gasol -- Cousins faced off with one Gasol last weekend and he didn’t fair so well. This isn’t the marquee matchup of a few years back, but at 35, Pau Gasol is still as crafty as they come in the post. If Cousins suits up, this should be a fun battle to watch.
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 21-27, third place in Pacific
Bulls: 26-21, second place in Central
INJURY REPORT
Kings: C DeMarcus Cousins (left ankle sprain) questionable, SG Ben McLemore (right wrist) questionable, PG Rajon Rondo (turf toe) questionable, F Eric Moreland (knee) out, F Duje Dukan (lower leg) out.
Bulls: F Nikola Mirotic (appendectomy) out, C Joakim Noah (shoulder) out, F Mike Dunleavy Jr (back) out.
SERIES HISTORY
This is the first of two matchups between these two clubs this season. The Bulls hold a 78-75 advantage over the Kings all-time and a 28-31 lead during the Sacramento-era.
QUOTABLE
“We’re still building who we are. I’m happy with what we’ve evolved to, but we definitely have a lot of work to do.” - George Karl