SACRAMENTO -- The Sacramento Kings return home after a brief two-game road trip. They are in desperate need of a win after losing six straight. They’ll host the Washington Wizards on Friday night on the first night of a rare home-and-home back-to-back.
Sacramento led the San Antonio Spurs by as many as 28 points in the first half Wednesday evening at the AT&T Center, but the home team pulled off the improbable comeback. Rookie Skal Labissiere put on a show, scoring a career-high 15 points and grabbing six rebounds in just 15 minutes of action in the loss.
The last time these two teams faced off, the Wizards came into the night just 5-10 on the season. Since that meeting, Washington, led by the dynamic backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal, have gone an impressive 34-14 and they currently sit as the three seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
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Wizards by 8
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Tyreke Evans vs. Otto Porter -- Evans is coming off his best game since rejoining the Kings at the All-Star Break. The 27-year-old wing scored 26 points and handed out four assists in 29 minutes starting at the small forward spot. Porter is having a breakout season in Washington, averaging a career-best 14 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting an NBA best 45.3 percent from behind the arc.
NBA
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 25-39, third place in Pacific
Wizards: 39-24, first place in Southeast
INJURY REPORT
Kings: SG Malachi Richardson (right hamstring partial tear) out, F Rudy Gay (torn left Achilles) out for season.
Wizards: No injuries to report.
SERIES HISTORY
Washington holds a 1-0 advantage over the Kings after knocking off Sacramento 101-95 in late November at the Verizon Center. The Kings hold a 104-89 advantage all-time over the Wizards and a 31-30 lead during the Sacramento-era.
QUOTE
“I was mad that we didn’t get to sign him back. I’m still a little salty about it sometimes. That’s a great friend, that’s somebody you always want in your locker room. You always want a guy like that who bonds well with everybody, who’s a leader, who is vocal, leads by example, works hard and is a true professional both on and off the floor.” -Bradley Beal on former teammate Garrett Temple