A Royal Pain
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Game Preview: Sacramento Kings Looking To Bounce Back Against Brooklyn Nets

By Gabe Callahan

Nov 13, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) goes up for a shot between Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) and forward Thaddeus Young (30) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Brooklyn Nets 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) goes up for a shot between Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) and forward Thaddeus Young (30) during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Brooklyn Nets 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sacramento Kings (21-28) will play their next four games on the road before the All-Star break. If they want to go into the break with some momentum, and a chance at the eighth playoff spot, they are going to have to win the next few games. That will have to start tonight with the Brooklyn Nets (12-38). Totally doable.

The Kings are going into Barclays Center with the same defensive woes they have had all year-long. DeMarcus Cousins is having another All-Star season and he leads Sacramento in a high octane offense. But the Kings do not defend the perimeter well and suffer from several defensive lapses.

If Sacramento does not give up 30+ points in the first quarter to Brooklyn, like they have in the past five games, then they should be able to start this road trip with a win. This will be the second and final game in the series for this team, with the Kings coming out on top of the first one 111-109.

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In that first game against the Nets, DeMarcus was able to dominate with 40 points and 13 rebounds. He should have another big game against them tonight, as no one has been able to stop Boogie in 2016. And The Nets front court hasn’t shown they can handle him.

Marco Belinelli is predicted to start in his third straight game. He has shot well in the past two games with 18 points each. The combination of Rajon Rondo and Belinelli seems to work, with Rondo setting him up with open shots. If this continues through tonight, and beyond, Belinelli could be able to salvage what has been a poor shooting season.

There are three keys to the game:

  • Defense– I shouldn’t have to say it anymore. But I end up always having to. Please Kings, please, play some defense. Especially at the three-point-line.
  • Find Open Shooters– The Nets will have their hands full with Boogie in the paint. So Sacramneto needs to find the open man for the uncontested shot when they double team him. This could be a good night for Marco, Darren Collison and Omri Casspi.

    • Play Motivated

    – The Kings came out flat in their last few outings. They need to play like the playoffs are on the line. Because they are.

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    Sacramento has a habit of playing down (or up) to the level of their opponents. They can’t afford to fall into that trap tonight. The Brooklyn Nets have shown that they can be more dangerous than their record appears to be.

    They are able to spark offensive rallies led by veterans Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez. But they also have trouble maintaining any leads due to their under-performing bench.  The Kings rotations can take advantage of that weakness, and the Kings can get off to a nice start to their road trip.

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