Looking to snap a three game losing streak, the Sacramento Kings travel to Dallas to take on an injury ravished Mavericks team that sits at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
The Kings escaped New York with 12 healthy bodies, but they couldn’t get out of town with a win or avoid a little bit of drama. The loss dropped Sacramento to 7-13 on the season and veteran Matt Barnes found himself in some hot water following an incident at a New York City nightclub.
Dallas is a shell of a team that is quickly heading towards a rebuild. Head coach Rick Carlisle’s team currently ranks last in the NBA in field goal percentage, free throw attempts, rebounds, blocks and scoring. They also rank 29th in assists and 27th in 3-point percentage.
OPENING LINE
Kings by 3.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Sports
Rudy Gay vs. Harrison Barnes -- Barnes is in his first season with the Mavs after leaving the Golden State Warriors for a mega-deal in Dallas. The 24-year-old wing is posting career-highs in points, at 20.9 per game and rebounds at 5.8. Gay is quietly having a very strong season for Sacramento in a free agency year. He comes into the game averaging 19.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 7-13, fourth place in Pacific
Mavs: 4-16, last place in Southwest
INJURY REPORT
Kings: No injuries to report.
Mavs: C Andrew Bogut (knee) out, F Dirk Nowitzki (Achilles) out, J.J. Barea (calf) out, G Seth Curry (knee) questionable.
SERIES HISTORY
Sacramento took the season series against the Mavericks 3-1 last year, including a 104-101 victory March 3 at the American Airlines Center that snapped a 22-game losing streak for the Kings in Dallas. The Mavs hold a 91-65 advantage over the Kings all-time, and a 74-52 lead during the Sacramento-era.
