SACRAMENTO – There is no rest for the weary. After dropping their third straight in dramatic fashion on Friday night, the Sacramento Kings host the Golden State Warriors Saturday evening for a rare home-and-home back-to-back.
The injury bug has hit the Kings hard over the last few weeks, leaving Dave Joerger to scramble his lineups once again. Seldom used Ben McLemore picked up a start against Phoenix on Friday night and played well for Sacramento. The 23-year-old wing answered the call, scoring 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting in 35 minutes of action.
Golden State has won five straight and 12-of-13. They are running away from the pack for the league’s best record and rightly so. They tout four All-Stars, including two-time reigning NBA MVP Stephen Curry and perennial MVP contender Kevin Durant.
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Warriors by 14
MATCHUP TO WATCH:
DeMarcus Cousins vs. Draymond Green -- Cousins is fresh off a triple-double outing against the Suns, but his scoring numbers have been down a bit over his previous two contests. He sported giant ice bags on both shoulders following the Kings 105-103 loss to the Suns on Friday night, but he should be ready to roll against the Warriors. Green sat out against the Clippers with his own shoulder issue, but he is expected to suit up against Cousins and Kings Saturday night at Golden 1 Center.
WHERE THEY STAND:
Kings: 19-31 fourth place in Pacific
Warriors: 43-7, first place in Pacific
NBA
INJURY REPORT:
Kings: G Arron Afflalo (stomach virus) probable, G/F Garrett Temple (torn left hamstring) out, F Omri Casspi (right calf strain) out, F Rudy Gay (torn left Achilles) out for season.
Warriors: F Draymond Green (shoulder) is available to play, PG Shaun Livingston (back) probable, C Zaza Pachulia (rotator cuff) out, F David West (left thumb) out.
SERIES HISTORY:
The Warriors roll into Sacramento riding a 13-game winning streak over the Kings. Golden State holds a 198-185 lead over the Kings all-time and a 70-64 advantage in the Sacramento-era.
ROSTER NOTE:
The Kings recalled rookie Georgios Papagiannis from the Reno Bighorns on Saturday.
QUOTABLE:
“We’re going to need every guy in this locker room. We’re aware of the injuries we’re dealing with right now, it sucks. They’re big pieces to this team but it also gives other guys opportunities to step up and fill in their role so this is their chance.” - DeMarcus Cousins following the loss to the Phoenix Suns.