The Sacramento Kings look to make it two in a row when they visit the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center for a Sunday matinee. When these two teams met earlier in the month, the Kings jumped all over the Mavs and ran away with a 31-point victory. They could use another game like that before returning home to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday afternoon.
Sacramento is 5-10 on the road this season, but they are coming off an unexpected win in Memphis on Friday night against a quality Grizzlies team. Garrett Temple stepped up with a 17-point, six-rebound, four-assist game in his second straight start at the shooting guard spot and Kosta Koufos dropped in a big 16-point, 13-rebound double-double in the win.
The Mavericks have lost two straight and have struggled all season with injury issues. Future Hall of Fame forward Dirk Nowitzki has missed 10 consecutive games with an Achilles issue and has only seen the court in five games this season.
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OPENING LINE
Mavs by 1.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Garrett Temple vs. Wes Matthews -- The Kings chased Matthews heavily in free agency two summers ago, but the veteran chose to sign in Dallas instead. He’s off to a rocky start this season, but his 3-point shot is finally coming around. Temple took the Kings’ money and has quickly become a fan favorite with his gritty defensive play and versatile game. After coming off the bench for the first 24 games, Temple has started the last two games for coach Dave Joerger, posting 18.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 33 minutes with the first unit.
NBA
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 10-16, third place in Pacific
Mavs: 6-20, last place in Southwest
INJURY REPORT
Kings: SF Rudy (hip flexor) doubtful, SF Omri Casspi (illness) questionable.
Mavs: C Andrew Bogut (knee) out, F Dirk Nowitzki (Achilles) out, J.J. Barea (calf) out.
SERIES HISTORY
Sacramento leads the season series 1-0 against the Mavericks after a 120-89 blowout victory earlier this month at the American Airlines Center. The Mavs hold a 91-66 advantage over the Kings all-time, and a 74-53 lead during the Sacramento-era.