SACRAMENTO -- Home is where the heart is. The Kings improved to 4-4 at Golden 1 Center with their win over the Lakers on Wednesday night. They'll draw another Los Angeles team on Saturday when the Clippers swing by Sacramento.
Zach Randolph put up a season-high 22 points against the Lakers, but it was the bench that stood out in the victory. Willie Cauley-Stein's 26 paced a group of reserves that finished the evening with a combined 67 points. Sacramento boasts the highest scoring second unit in the NBA and the starters are showing signs of improvement.
After losing nine straight, the Clippers picked up a win last time out against the Atlanta Hawks. They've struggled with injuries and inconsistency early in the campaign. The post-Chris Paul era has not been kind to Los Angeles so far.
BETTING LINE
Clippers by 4
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Skal Labissiere vs. Blake Griffin -- Labissiere is getting on the job training each and every night he steps on the floor. One evening it's Kenneth Faried, the next it's Kyle Kuzma. The power forward spot used to be all about rebounding and physicality, now no two bigs are alike. Griffin has struggled with injuries over the last few seasons, but he's versatile, athletic and loves to stuff the stat sheet. If Labissiere can stay out of foul trouble and hit his open shots, the Kings have a shot to make it two wins in a row.
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WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 5-13, fifth place in Pacific
Clippers: 6-11, fourth place in Pacific
INJURY REPORT
Kings: PF Harry Giles (bilateral knee rehab) out until January.
Clippers: PG Patrick Beverley (knee) out, PG Milos Teodosic (foot) out, SF Danilo Gallinari (hip) out.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE -- The Kings have a legitimate chance to move above .500 on the season with the Clippers coming to town. They'll face a veteran team that isn't used to losing, but injuries and roster changes have them scuffling.
BOGI FINDING A NICHE -- The Kings roster is filled with rookies, but Bogdan Bogdanovic is different. The 25-year-old Serbian has patiently tried to work his way into the Kings system and after 18 games, we are starting to see him find his sea legs. He needs to stay aggressive and keep finding Cauley-Stein on the alley-oop.
Frank the Tank -- Frank Mason III continues to thrive as the Kings backup point guard. Since earning rotational minutes four games ago, the 23-year-old out of Kansas is averaging 9.5 points and 4.5 assists in 22 minutes a game. He's putting pressure in the backcourt on opposing guards on one end. On the other side of the ball, he's knocking down 46.7 percent of his 3-point shots.
SERIES HISTORY
The Clippers took the season series 3-1 last season, with the Kings only win coming at Staples Center in March. The Kings own a 113-86 lead in the all-time series and a 69-63 advantage during the Sacramento-era 88-47.
