SACRAMENTO -- Coming off their worst performance of the year in Milwaukee, the Sacramento Kings shocked the Raptors on their home floor earlier this month. They’ve hit another low after losing their fourth straight Friday against the Clippers and could use a big win over a quality Eastern Conference opponent.
Head coach Dave Joerger made a halftime adjustment on Friday, going small for one of the few times this season. The result was a wild second half that saw Sacramento all but erase a 26-point first half deficit before falling in the final two minutes to the Clippers.
Ty Lawson had a breakout game against Los Angeles, pouring in an 18-point, eight-assist performance against Chris Paul. Going away from the two-big lineup opened up running lanes for the speedy Lawson, which was a welcomed sight around Sacramento.
The Raptors are fresh off a 113-111 overtime win over the Denver Nuggets and looking to make it two straight. Their backcourt of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry combined to score 48 points in the win, which is right on their season average. Jonas Valanciunas, who missed the last matchup between these two teams, is healthy and ready to go head-to-head against DeMarcus Cousins.
OPENING LINE:
Raptors by 3.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH:
Kings guards vs. DeMar DeRozan -- Joerger said the Kings are going small, but what that means is anyone’s guess. Will he begin the game with dual point guards? Will Arron Afflalo stay at the two or shift to the three like he did Friday against the Clipper? No one knows, but Sacramento is one of only two teams to hold DeRozan under 30 points through 12 games this season. The 27-year-old shooting guard is averaging 33.0 points per game, but scored just 23 points on 7-of-20 shooting in Toronto’s 96-91 loss to the Kings on Nov 6.
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WHERE THEY STAND:
Kings: 4-9, fourth place in Pacific
Raptors: 8-4, first place in Atlantic
INJURY REPORT:
Kings: No injuries to report.
Raptors: C Jared Sullinger (foot) out, PG Delon Wright (shoulder) out.
SERIES HISTORY:
Sacramento swept the season series 2-0 last year against the Raptors and made it three in a row against the team from the North with a 96-91 win over Toronto earlier this month. The Kings own a 25-15 lead over the Raptors all-time.
QUOTE:
“Regardless of what lineup is out there, we’ve got to be ready to play. We can’t come out with excuses. If we don’t play with energy and urgency from the beginning, it doesn’t really matter what lineup is out there – we’re going to continue to have the same type of game.” -DeMarcus Cousins following the Kings’ loss to the Clippers
