Sacramento Kings head coach Dave Joerger is searching for answers after his team’s third straight loss on the road Thursday night in Orlando.
Joerger is still mixing and matching his lineups trying to get the best possible results out of his newly formed team, but the experimenting has yet to yield the desired results.
DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay continue to pace the Kings, although they’ll need help on Saturday evening. The duo is posting more than 50 percent of the team’s offensive output on a nightly basis, combining to score just over 50 points per game. But Gay is doubtful to play due to a rib cartilage injury, leaving Sacramento short-handed at the wing.
[HAM: Kings main scoring cog Gay doubtful against Bucks]
Ty Lawson has played solid ball early in the season, but Sacramento is still trying to make up for the loss of starting point guard Darren Collison who will return Tuesday after serving his eight-game league suspension.
Milwaukee has won two straight, including a 125-107 drubbing of the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. The Bucks young forward combo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker are turning heads with their aerial assault on their opponents.
OPENING LINE
Sports
Bucks by 2
MATCHUP TO WATCH
? vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo -- Gay is off to his best start in a Kings uniform, averaging 22.5 and 5.3 rebounds through the team’s first six games, but he’s doubtful to play after banging his ribs in the Kings loss to Orlando. Be it Matt Barnes, Omri Casspi or Garrett Temple, someone is going to have to try and slow down Antetokounmpo. “The Greek Freak” is dominating his opponents right now to the tune of 24.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.2 steals per game.
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 2-4, fourth place in Pacific
Bucks: 3-2, third place in Central
INJURY REPORT
Kings: F Rudy Gay (rib cartilage injury) doubtful, PG Darren Collison (suspension) out.
Bucks: Khris Middleton(hamstring) out.
SERIES HISTORY
Sacramento and Milwaukee split the season series last year with each team getting a win on the road. The Kings own a 28-26 lead over the Bucks during the Sacramento-era of Kings basketball.
