SACRAMENTO -- With another road trip starting on Thursday in Minnesota, the Sacramento Kings hit their home floor looking for a win Tuesday evening against the Phoenix Suns. They'll face a young team missing their best player and riding a three game losing streak.
The Kings have been hit and miss throughout the season, but an outline for success is beginning to form. The starting unit is still struggling on most nights, but the reserves are playing out of their mind. Zach Randolph has turned back the clock, and young players like Buddy Hield, Frank Mason III and Bogdan Bogdanovic are carving out niches for Sacramento.
Phoenix can score with the best of them, but they have the NBA's worst defense, allowing an incredible 115 points per game. They're without sharpshooter Devin Booker for the next few weeks, but they have plenty of firepower to work with.
LINE
Kings by 4.5
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 8-18
Sports
Suns: 9-19
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Skal Labissiere vs. Marquese Chriss... part II -- Labissiere is fresh off a trip to the G-League to jump start his season. He hasn't had the breakout campaign that many expected, but he showed signs of coming around against the Raptors. Chriss has struggled all season, both as a starter and off the bench. The Sacramento native will have plenty of fans in the stands as he tries to convert potential to production at Golden 1 Center.
INJURY REPORT
Kings: C/PF Willie Cauley-Stein (lower back strain) game-time decision, but he participated in shoot around and is expects to suit up, PF Harry Giles (bi-lateral knee rehab) is out until January at the earliest.
Suns: SG Devin Booker (adductor strain) out, SF Jared Dudley (toe) questionable, PG Brandon Knight (ACL tear) out for the season, G Davon Reed (knee) out, PF Alan Williams (knee) out.
SERIES HISTORY
Sacramento dominated the season-series 3-1 last season, but the Suns snuck out a 117-115 win over the Kings early in the 2017-18 campaign. Phoenix leads the all-time series 132-90 and they hold an 85-51 advantage during the Sacramento-era.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
Willie Play? -- Willie Cauley-Stein has made a huge impact off the Kings bench. The third-year big is posting 16.3 points and 7.3 rebounds in 28.5 minutes over seven games with the second unit. He's missed three straight with a lower back strain, but he was confident following Monday's practice that he would return to action against the Suns.
Aggressive Fox -- The Kings have been patient with the fifth overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft. The 19-year-old point guard turned the ball over seven times and looked lost against veteran Kyle Lowry on Sunday. He attacked late in the game, showing a side that the Kings' coaching staff has been begging to see. Tyler Ulis and Mike James are both young and inexperienced, which might give Fox an opportunity to shine.
Feed the Beast -- Zach Randolph is on a roll. The 36-year-old big man continues to anchor the Kings offense. He'll get a test against veterans Tyson Chandler and Greg Monroe, but he's handled himself well against bigger names. The Kings need him to continue his strong play if they hope to start leapfrogging teams in the standings.
QUOTE
"I pretty much released myself today. I wasn't trying to baby it. I just wanted to get out and blow the air out of lungs and try to get back into playing shape." -Willie Cauley-Stein on returning to practice on Monday.
