Warriors vs. Kings watch guide: Lineups, injuries and player usage

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SACRAMENTO -- On one bench we have the Warriors, two months into a journey in search of their championship form.

On the other bench we have the Kings, who in that same time frame have made an impetuous run toward playoff contention.

When the final horns sounds Saturday night at Golden 1 Center, only the winner can believe it may be onto something.

Warriors coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 6:00 p.m. with Warriors Pregame, while Kings coverage on NBC Sports California begins at 6:30 p.m. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

The Warriors (25-14) are coming off perhaps their most bitter loss of the season, blowing a 20-point lead to rival Houston and taking a 135-134 loss in overtime.

[RELATED: What went right, what went wrong in Dubs' loss to Rockets]

Proof of a revival in Sacramento is found in the Kings’ 19-19 record, their best mark this deep into a season since 2004-2005, when they finished 50-32. The Kings last season did not get their 19th win until March 1.

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PROJECTED LINEUPS

Warriors
F – Kevin Durant
F – Draymond Green
C – Kevon Looney
G – Klay Thompson
G – Stephen Curry

Kings
F – Bogdan Bogdanovic
F – Nemanja Bjelica
C – Willie Cauley-Stein
G – Buddy Hield
G – De’Aaron Fox

INJURY REPORT

Warriors: G Jacob Evans III (left foot contusion) is listed as probable. C DeMarcus Cousins (left Achilles’ tendon rehab) and C Damian Jones (left pectoral surgery) are listed as out.

Kings: F Marvin Bagley III (left knee bone bruise) is listed as out. G/F Iman Shumpert is a late scratch (right index finger sprain).

ROTATION OUTLOOK

Warriors: Coach Steve Kerr said Saturday that he will continue to give Curry three-minute breaks each quarter instead of six-minute breaks in the second and fourth, as previously had been the case.

Durant will continue to get the six-minute breaks in the second and fourth.

Forward Andre Iguodala played 34 minutes Thursday, so expect about 10 fewer on Saturday. He has exceeded 30 minutes only twice this season.

With the Kings forcing a sizzling pace, expect both forward Alfonzo McKinnie and forward/center Jordan Bell -- both of whom run the floor well -- to get opportunities. McKinnie played 16 minutes and Bell 10 in the last meeting with the Kings.

The Warriors prevailed in both previous meetings this season, 117-116 on Nov. 24 in Oakland and 130-125 on Dec. 14 in Sacramento.

Kings: Coach Dave Joerger has been going with a nine-man rotation, with guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, forward/center Harry Giles III, small forward Justin Jackson and point guard Yogi Ferrell coming off the bench.

Bogdonovic has been fabulous off the bench, averaging 16.2 points and 3.8 assists in 20 games as a reserve. He has posted at least 20 points in seven games, but will be starting for the injured Shumpert tonight.

Hield is one of two NBA players averaging at least seven 3-point attempts per game while shooting at least 40 percent from beyond the arc. Curry is the other.

The Kings average 57.6 points in the second half, tops in the NBA, and are the only squad in the league shooting above 40 percent (41.2) from deep after halftime.

Officials: Courtney Kirkland (chief), Karl Lane, JB DeRosa.

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