SACRAMENTO -- The Sacramento Kings look to get back in the win column Sunday at Golden 1 Center. They’ll face a Washington Wizards team that is fresh off a tough loss in Golden State that included a big time scuffle on the court.
With veterans George Hill and Zach Randolph taking the afternoon off, Dave Joerger will turn to his core of young players against the Wizards. Prized rookie De’Aaron Fox is primed to make his first NBA start at the point guard position and the door is open for plenty of other to get an opportunity.
Washington is still waiting for the league to decide who will and will not be available for Sunday’s game. It appeared that punches were thrown against the Warriors and that usually costs a game check or two.
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BETTING LINE
No line
MATCHUP TO WATCH
De’Aaron Fox vs. John Wall -- Speed on speed. With George Hill sitting, the NBA will get watch two of the fastest guards in the NBA go at each other from the opening tip. Fox has put on a show in his first week in the league, posting 14.8 points, 5.0 assists and 4.4 rebounds in 26.8 minutes per game. Wall is a four-time All-Star and one of the best point guards in the game. Wall’s a tough test for any player, let alone a rookie.
NBA
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 1-4, fifth place in Pacific
Wizards: 3-2, second place in Southeast
INJURY REPORT
Kings: PG George Hill (rest) out, PF Zach Randolph (rest) out, PF Harry Giles (bilateral knee rehab) out.
Wizards: PF Markieff Morris (groin) out, G Sheldon Mac (leg) out.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN -- The Kings were interested in small forward Otto Porter during free agency, but they backed off when the price tag reached astronomical heights. Porter signed a four-year, $106 million offer sheet with the Brooklyn Nets, before returning to Wizards. He would have made a nice fit at the small forward spot for Sacramento, but it wasn’t to be.
YOUTH ON DISPLAY -- With Hill and Randolph sitting one out, Kings fans will get a longer look at Fox, Labissiere and possibly even Frank Mason III. The Wizards are a tough opponent at full strength and the Kings will need career nights from a few of their young players if they hope to pull this one out.
CAN KINGS CONTINUE THEIR HOT SHOOTING? -- Sacramento comes into Sunday’s game fourth in the league in 3-point percentage, knocking down 37.8 percent from long range. Almost every King is hitting from the outside, except for the two guys playing the shooting guard position. Maybe Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic can jump in the action.
SERIES HISTORY
Washington swept the season series between the two teams last year. The Kings still hold a 104-90 advantage all-time over the Wizards, but the series is all tied up at 31-31 during the Sacramento-era.