SACRAMENTO -- After a brutal 12-day, six-game road trip, the Kings return to Golden 1 Center to face a well rested and angry Golden State Warriors team Friday evening.
Sacramento finished their road trip 3-3, including a quality win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday. They’ve played short-handed over the last few games, but reinforcements are on their way, including head coach Dave Joerger, who is expected to be back on the sidelines sometime this week.
The Warriors are coming off an embarrassing 129-99 loss to the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. They own the league’s best record and they are the odds on favorite to return to the NBA Finals.
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BETTING LINE
Warriors by 12.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH
De’Aaron Fox vs. Stephen Curry -- A rookie versus a two-time league MVP. Fox has impressed in the month of January, improving his numbers across the board. He’s played aggressive on both ends of the floor and the numbers are looking more in line with what the team expected
when he was drafted fifth overall. Curry is a rare beast. His ability to shoot from anywhere on the floor makes him one of the biggest threats in the game. Fox will have his hands full.
NBA
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 16-34, fifth place in Pacific
Warriors: 40-11, first place in Pacific
INJURY REPORT
Kings: C Willie Cauley-Stein (bone bruise right knee) participated in shootaround and expects to play, PF Skal Labissiere (shoulder strain) out 2-3 weeks, PG Frank Mason (plantar fascia tear right heel) out, Malachi Richardson (ankle) out, PF Harry Giles (bilateral knee rehab) out until January.
Warriors: PF Jordan Bell (ankle) out, PG Shaun Livingston (personal) out.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
Make Shots -- The only way to beat the Warriors is to make them take the ball out of the basket. If you miss shots, Golden State will kill you in transition. They don’t need a shot clock with the shooters they have.
Defend the 3-Ball -- There’s no stopping Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and the bevy of shooters hiding around the perimeter for Golden State. You have to stick your man and hope he bricks it. The Warriors take nearly 30 3-pointers a game and they knock down a lead-leading 39.2 percent of them.
Veteran Look -- The Kings promised to go young and then half the young players went down with injuries. Expect to see the veterans get plenty of minutes while Labissiere, Richardson and Mason continue to sit out.
SERIES HISTORY
The Kings shocked the Warriors at Oracle Arena in the first of four meetings on Nov. 27, coming away with a 110-106 victory over the champs. The Warriors hold a 200-187 lead in the all-time series and a 72-66 advantage during the Sacramento-era.