For a young team like the Sacramento Kings, a 2-2 road trip is a huge success. An overtime victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday has the Kings at 7-9 over their last 16 games, which is a big improvement over their 1-8 start to the season. They'll host another quality playoff team in the Toronto Raptors for a Sunday matinee.
Zach Randolph is earning his $12.5 million this season. The 36-year-old big matched DeMarcus Cousins blow-for-blow in New Orleans, finishing with a season-high 35 points. He's averaging 25 points and almost 11 rebounds per game over his previous four games. Dave Joerger received plenty of help from the young core, but without Z-Bo, the Kings would be stuck in reverse.
Toronto is in game two of a four-game road trip. They've won five straight and nine of their previous 11. Guards DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry continue to pace a Raptors team that currently sits in second place in the Eastern Conference.
OPENING LINE:
Raptors by 7
MATCHUP TO WATCH:
Garrett Temple vs. DeMar DeRozan -- Temple usually guards the toughest perimeter scorer for Sacramento and he'll face a high-end wing on Sunday. DeRozan's scoring is down nearly four points per game from his career-best 27.3 last seasons. He's not a great 3-point shooter, but he can take you off the dribble and he lives in the mid-range. If Temple can limit DeRozan, the Kings have a shot to make it five in a row against the Raptors.
WHERE THEY STAND:
Kings: 8-17, fifth place in Pacific
Raptors: 16-7, second place in Atlantic
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INJURY REPORT:
Kings: G George Hill (personal reasons( is out, C Willie Cauley-Stein (lower back strain) status unknown, PF Harry Giles (bilateral knee rehab) out until January. Justin Jackson, Malachi Richardson and Skal Labissiere were recalled from the Reno Bighorns on Saturday.
Raptors: C Lucas Nogueira (calf) out, G Delon Wright (shoulder) out.
SERIES HISTORY:
The Kings swept the season series over the Raptors last season and have a four-game win streak against the perennial playoff contender. Sacramento holds a 26-15 lead in the all-time series between these two clubs.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH:
Labissiere a Changed Man? -- The Kings shocked everyone when they sent Skal Labissiere to the Reno Bighorns earlier this week. The second-year big took the demotion in stride, averaging 28 points, 15.5 rebounds, five blocks and two assists in 35 minutes a night against G-League team competition. Sacramento is hoping the 21-year-old found some confidence with extended minutes.
Give Z-Bo a Break -- At 36, Randolph is showing no signs of slowing on the offensive end. But if the Kings' fleet of bigs don't find a way to step up, the 17-year NBA veteran is going to wear down over time. A healthy Willie Cauley-Stein would help, but Labissiere and Kosta Koufos have the ability to take some of the pressure off as well.
More Frank Mason III -- Sacramento's second-round pick is putting on a show since earning rotational minutes. Mason's scored in double-figures in three straight and seven of his last 10 games. Joerger let him finish the overtime win in New Orleans and he made some of the biggest plays of the game.
QUOTE
"Where we're from, bullies get bullied. In my hood, bullies get bullied." -Zach Randolph to DeMarcus Cousins in the Kings' overtime win over the Pelicans
