NBA Gameday: Kings have solid shot at ending eight-game skid

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UPDATE (6:09pm PT on Monday): About 90 minutes before tip-off, the Kings announced that Arron Affalo, Kosta Koufos and Ty Lawson will not play (rest) and Tyreke Evans will sit out due to a sore left ankle.

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SACRAMENTO -- Looking to get back in the win column, the Sacramento Kings face off with the Orlando Magic Monday night at Golden 1 Center with the hopes of snapping their season-long eight-game losing streak.

Coach Dave Joerger has shown restraint with regards to his young players, but he’s loosened the reigns of late. Willie Cauley-Stein, Buddy Hield and Skal Labissiere have each earned major rotational minutes down the stretch as the Kings look to the future.

Orlando sits near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Scoring has been an issue all season long for Frank Vogel and his young core. The Magic rank 29th in points per game at 99.7 a night and they also sit at the bottom in the NBA in 3-point percentage, knocking down just 32.4 percent from long range.  

OPENING LINE

Kings by 1

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Buddy Hield vs. Evan Fournier -- Hield is finding his rhythm on the offensive end since coming over from the Pelicans at the deadline. Through nine games, he’s averaging 13.9 points per game on 52.3 percent from the floor and 51.2 percent from long range in 25.9 minutes a night. Fournier is a tough cover on most nights, leading the Magic in scoring at 16.8 points per game. Hield has struggled on the defensive end, but if he can match Fournier’s scoring output, the Kings have a solid shot of snapping their losing streak.   

WHERE THEY STAND

Kings: 25-41, third place in Pacific

Magic: 24-33, last place in Southeast

INJURY REPORT

Kings: SG Malachi Richardson (right hamstring partial tear) out, F Rudy Gay (torn left Achilles) out for season.

Magic: SG Jodie Meeks (thumb) out.

SERIES HISTORY

The Magic owns a 1-0 advantage in the season series, knocking off the Kings at the Amway Center on Nov. 3 by a final of 102-94. Sacramento holds a 28-26 lead all-time over Orlando.

QUOTE

“Buddy has come in and played well, even with all the hype and stuff. He’s handled it like a pro and played his game. Skal has come in and really done a great job providing energy, but also showing his offensive ability, obviously, his athletic ability, being able to rebound. Willie’s been playing well the whole season and he’s starting to get consistent in that role. It’s really good to see these young guys coming into their own.” -Garrett Temple on the young players earning their minutes

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