The Sacramento Kings look to snap their early-season two-game losing streak Thursday in Orlando against the Magic. They are coming off a tough 108-96 overtime loss to the Miami Heat on Tuesday and are in need of a win to get back to .500.
DeMarcus Cousins will face a big and diverse Magic frontline that includes starters Serge Ibaka, Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon, as well as reserve center Bismack Biyombo. Ibaka is in his first season with the Magic after coming over from Oklahoma in a draft day deal and will likely start the game against Cousins, but it usually takes an army to slow the Kings All-Star center.
Arron Afflalo is coming off his best game in a Kings uniform, scoring 18 points against the Heat on Tuesday night. But Sacramento will need others players to step forward to snap its two-game skid.
Veteran Jordan Farmar was signed on Wednesday to provide backcourt support until Darren Collison returns Nov. 8 against the Pelicans.
OPENING LINE
Magic by 1
Sports
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Rudy Gay vs. Aaron Gordon -- Gordon is a gifted athlete with great length. He’s more of a power forward than a wing, but head coach Frank Vogel is getting crafty with his lineups to keep his core happy. Gay is off to a tremendous start for Sacramento, averaging 23.8 points, six rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals through the first five games. He’s playing the best basketball of his career early in the season as he prepares for free agency next summer.
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 2-3, third place in Pacific
Magic: 1-3, fourth place in Southeast
INJURY REPORT
Kings: PG Darren Collison (left hamstring) questionable.
Magic: G Jodie Meeks (foot) out.
SERIES HISTORY
These two teams split the season series last year, with each club coming away with a win on their opponent's home floor. Sacramento holds a 28-26 lead all-time over Orlando.
QUOTE
“Good, hard, competitive game.” -DeMarcus Cousins avoiding an NBA fine following the Kings’ overtime loss in Miami where he picked up six fouls in the fourth quarter