Merry Christmas, now back to work. Following a two day break, the Sacramento Kings hit the road for matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers Tuesday evening. It’s the first night of a back-to-back for the Kings, who fly home following the game to battle the Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden 1 Center.
Sacramento kept it close, but couldn’t get a late push Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs. Buddy Hield went off for 24 points and Willie Cauley-Stein added a 22-point, 11-rebound double-double in the loss. Both young players are showing signs of development.
The Clippers come in beat up and missing three starters, but they’re still a couple of games ahead of the Kings in the standings. This is a completely different team than the one that’s strung together five straight 50 win seasons, but they still have plenty of talent.
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BETTING LINE
Clippers by 5
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Buddy Hield vs. Lou WIlliams -- Hield is playing extremely well for Sacramento either as a reserve or with the starters. He’s the Kings' best 3-point shooter and he’s improved on most facets of the game in year two. Williams is coming off a 36-point performance in a loss to the Grizzlies last time out. In his 13th NBA season, the 31-year-old is posting a career-best 20.7 points per game. If Williams gets loose, it’s going to be a long night for Sacramento
NBA
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 11-21, fourth place in Pacific
Clippers: 13-19, second place in Pacific
INJURY REPORT
Kings: SF Vince Carter (ribs) questionable, PG De’Aaron Fox (slight right quad tear) out a minimum of two weeks, PF Harry Giles (bilateral knee rehab) out until January at the earliest.
Clipper: G/F Wes Johnson (foot soreness) out, PF Blake Griffin (knee) out, PG Patrick Beverley (knee) out, SF Danilo Gallinari (hip) out.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
Payback -- The last time these two teams met, Blake Griffin dropped 33 points and the Clippers came away with a 97-95 victory at Golden 1 Center. Griffin is out for the foreseeable future. The Kings are playing much better. This is an opportunity to get even with the Clippers on the season.
The Coach’s Kid -- With injuries piling up early in the season, Doc Rivers' son, Austin, is having a breakout season in LA. The 25-year-old guard is posting a career-best 16.2 points per game on 41 percent shooting from long range.
Feed Z-Bo -- One of the best ways to neutralize Clippers big man DeAndre Jordan is to get him in foul trouble early. Randolph has been spectacular for Sacramento this season. The Kings need to find him early and let him get established in the post.
SERIES HISTORY
The Clippers lead the seasons series 1-0 after knocking off the Kings Nov. 25 at Golden 1 Center. The Kings holds an 69-63 lead during the Sacramento-era and a 113-86 advantage all-time.
Quotes
“The way they move the ball and play for each other - that gets you extra work playing for each other. Every now and then a couple guys might go off and pick up a win like that. But the majority of the time if you play for each other, you’re setting yourself up for a good chance to win the game.” -Willie Cauley-Stein on what he learned from facing the Spurs.