After a brutal stretch on the road, the Sacramento Kings return home Friday night to start a six-game homestand. First up on the docket are the Phoenix Suns, who have lost five straight and sit at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
With the news that Garrett Temple is out 2-3 weeks with a torn hamstring, coach Dave Joerger is once again in scramble mode. He will likely turn to veteran Matt Barnes at the small forward spot, but Joerger will also need to steal minutes at the wing with rookie Malachi Richardson and fourth-year guard Ben McLemore.
The Suns are in a slump, but point guard Eric Bledsoe is having a breakout stretch. Over his last six games, Bledsoe has posted 40 points or more three times while matching his career-high of 41 twice. If the Kings want to start the homestand the right way, they will need to limit Bledsoe and stick tight to his backcourt mate Devin Booker who loves to hoist the 3-ball.
With our All Access Daily newsletter, stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams!
SIGN UP HERE LINE
Kings by 4.5
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 19-30
NBA
Suns: 17-35
MATCHUP TO WATCH
DeMarcus Cousins vs. Tyson Chandler -- Cousins put on a show in the month of January, earning a Western Conference Player of the Week award while putting up huge numbers. With injuries piling up, the Kings need even more from their All-Star big. Chandler is having a bit of a resurgence in his 16th season in the league. The 34-year-old center is averaging 8.8 points and 11.8 rebounds and shooting a robust 68.6 percent from the field.
INJURY REPORT
Kings: G Arron Afflalo (stomach virus) questionable, G/F Garrett Temple (torn left hamstring) out, F Omri Casspi (right calf strain) out, F Rudy Gay (torn left Achilles) out for season.
Suns: F Dragan Bender (ankle) out, G/F Jared Dudley (illness) out.
SERIES HISTORY
The Kings won the season series 3-1 last year and hold a 1-0 advantage after knocking off the Suns on their home floor on opening night. Phoenix leads the all-time series 130-89 and they hold an 83-50 advantage during the Sacramento-era.
QUOTABLE
“This is the first time I’ve been part of a team where the chemistry’s been great, the results just haven’t been there. The work ethic [has] been good. I’ve been on winning teams and they don’t nearly work as hard as some of us do everyday. It shows good character, but at the end of the day, we need results to show too.” -Darren Collison on the current state of the Sacramento Kings