The Sacramento Kings struggled Saturday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, dropping their 42nd game of the season. Sunday's task isn't any easier as they travel to San Antonio to face the star-studded Spurs on the second night of a back-to-back.
First round pick Georgios Papagiannis had a breakout 14-point, 11-rebounds performance against the Thunder, setting new career-highs in both stats. The 19-year-old 7-footer out of Greece had played just 53 total minutes on the season before registering 22 against Steven Adams and the OKC frontline.
The Spurs are fresh off a 104-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday and they currently trail the Golden State Warriors by 2.5 games for the best record in the Western Conference. It's a team built for a long playoff run centered around reigning two-time Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard and big man LaMarcus Aldridge.
OPENING LINE:
Spurs by 14.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH:
Youth vs. Experience -- The Kings roll into the AT&T Center with three rookies and a second-year pro playing rotational minutes. While Papagiannis, Skal Labissiere, Buddy Hield and Willie Cauley-Stein have talent, they lack the experience of the Spurs veteran lineup. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have played together for the last 15 years and Kawhi Leonard, Patty Mills and Danny Green have played six or more seasons in San Antonio.
WHERE THEY STAND:
Kings: 27-42, third place in Pacific
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Spurs: 52-16, first place in Southwest
INJURY REPORT:
Kings: SG Ben McLemore (personal) out, SG Arron Afflalo (personal) out, SG Malachi Richardson (right hamstring partial tear) out, F Rudy Gay (torn left Achilles) out for season.
Spurs: PG Dejounte Murray (groin) and SG Manu Ginobili (rest) are out.
SERIES HISTORY:
The Spurs have won nine straight over the Kings, including a 3-0 lead in the season series this year. During the Sacramento-era, San Antonio holds an 86-39 advantage and they lead the Kings 114-55 all-time.
QUOTE:
"Because I couldn't get any playing time here, it was the best thing for me to through the whole year (in the D-League). It was a great opportunity for me. Great coaches, great players, great teammates, actually. They helped me everyday get better." -Papagiannis on his experience with the Reno Bighorns
