The Sacramento Kings' search for answers takes them to Atlanta, where they'll look to snap a two-game losing streak. Philips Arena has never been kind to Sacramento. The Kings have lost 10 straight at the home of the Hawks.
Through the early part of their schedule, the Kings have struggled with slow starts. They looked good coming out of the gate against the Wizards, but they fell apart in the third quarter. George Hill played well for one of the few times this season, but Sacramento needs more from their $19 million-a-year free agent acquisition.
Injuries have hurt Atlanta early, but so has a mass exodus of All-Star talent. Two seasons ago the Hawks won 48 games. They'll be lucky to win 30 this year as they rebuild from the ground up.
BETTING LINE
Hawks by 3.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH
George Hill vs. Dennis Schroder -- Hill is coming off one of his best games in a Kings jersey, scoring 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting against the Wizards on Monday. He'll face a speedy Dennis Schroder, who is having a career year so far this season, posting a career-high 19.8 points and 6.7 assists. If Hill can get his offense going and stick with Schroder, the Kings have a shot to pick up a win on the road.
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 3-10, fifth place in Pacific
Hawks: 2-12, fifth place in Southeast
INJURY REPORT
Kings: F Vince Carter (kidney stones) is out, PF Harry Giles (bilateral knee rehab) out.
Sports
Hawks: F Ersan Ilyasova (knee) probable, PF Mike Muscala (ankle) questionable, F/C Miles Plumlee (quad) out, F DeAndre Bembry (wrist) out.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
COMPETE -- The Kings have had their fair share of drubbings so far this season. They struggle from one quarter to the next and they sit at just 3-10 on the season. Atlanta isn't a good team and if the Kings come out and compete, they have a strong opportunity to pick up their fourth win of the season and head home on a high note.
MORE HILL -- After averaging 2.3 points per game over his previous three, Hill broke out against the Wizards for 13 points in the first quarter and 16 points overall. If Hill could have matched his first half numbers after the intermission, the Kings might have had an opportunity to stay in the game a little longer.
FIND A FEATURED PLAYER -- Someone needs to step forward and become a go-to guy. Zach Randolph has had moments, but the Kings don't have a single player that requires a double-team, making offensive sets more difficult than they need to be. De'Aaron Fox has potential to be that guy, but he's coming off the bench. Young or old, the Kings need a player to establish himself as a consistent threat.
SERIES HISTORY
These two teams split the season series 1-1 last year, which each club protecting their home courts. The Hawks hold a 158-154 advantage all-time over the the Kings and lead the series 42-18 during the Sacramento-era.
