NBA Gameday: Underdog Kings seek three-game road streak vs Pacers

Share

The Sacramento Kings are riding high after surprising the Cleveland Cavaliers on their home floor Wednesday night. They face an Indiana Pacers team that overcame a huge deficit a week ago to beat the Kings on their home floor.

Can they get revenge against the Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse and push their win streak to three games?

With injuries piling up, coach Dave Joerger turned to his young players in Cleveland and they responded well. Rookie Malachi Richardson dropped in 12 points against the Cavs, hitting 5-of-6 from the field in 14 minutes of action. Willie Cauley-Stein brought energy and a defensive presence, scoring eight points and grabbing 10 rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench.

Joerger will need similar performances from the young duo if the Kings hope to knock off the Pacers at home.

Indiana is playing the second night of a back-to-back after taking out the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday evening. Paul George led the way with 32 points and five assists while Myles Turner added 23 points and six rebounds. With the win, the Pacers snapped their three-game losing streak and moved back over .500 on the season. 

OPENING LINE 

Pacers by 4

MATCHUP TO WATCH

DeMarcus Cousins vs. Myles Turner -- Cousins posted a triple-double when these two teams faced off last week, finishing the night with 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. But the 3-time All-Star went 0-for-9 from the field in the season half as the Pacers erased a 22-point lead to stun the Kings on their home floor. Turner is young and athletic, but at 20-years-old, he still has a lot to learn about the NBA game. He’s averaging 15.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game in his sophomore season and he has a bright future in front of him.

WHERE THEY STAND 

Kings: 18-27, third place in Pacific
Pacers: 23-22, second place in Central

INJURY REPORT 

Kings: F Omri Casspi (left calf strain) out, SF Rudy Gay (left Achilles) out for the season.
Pacers: PG Rodney Stuckey (hamstring) out. 

SERIES HISTORY 

The Pacers snapped their four game losing streak to the Kings last week, coming away with a 106-100 win at Golden 1 Center. Indiana holds a 45-39 lead over the Kings all-time and a 34-26 advantage during the Sacramento-era.

QUOTE

“I think we’re just growing from it, I think we’ve seen every type of mistake possible this season and I think we’re growing from it.”
-- Cousins following the big win over the Cavs

Contact Us