Sacramento Kings Game Preview: Versus Los Angeles Lakers 10/13/2016
By Tyler Watts
The Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers travel to Las Vegas, Nevada for a preseason clash on October 13, 2016. This article examines everything Kings fans need to know about tonight’s game.
Tonight, on October 13, 2016, the Sacramento Kings do battle with the Los Angeles Lakers at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is the second meeting between the two teams this preseason. The Kings and the Lakers opened their preseason slates against each other on October 4th and the Lakers came out victorious 103-84. Below is a highlight video from that clash.
Let us now examine what Kings fans need to know about tonight’s contest.
Injuries
According to ESPN, the Kings enter the game with a clean bill of health. Be sure to keep an eye on the reports before the game, though. Coach Joerger could choose to hold out some players given the preseason nature of the game and him just wanting to get a look at different players before they are forced to trim the roster.
Los Angeles Lakers Scouting Report
The Los Angeles Lakers finished last season with a record of 17 wins and 65 losses. That record caused them to finish in the basement of the Western Conference. This offseason, Kobe Bryant retired, Luke Walton became the head coach, and the Lakers brought in a slew of new players.
The Lakers enter the contest with a preseason record of 2 wins and 2 losses. Their young core has shown some promise this preseason. They are led in scoring by D’Angelo Russell averaging 17.5 points per game in 29 minutes this preseason. Expect to see lots of Russell with the ball in hands.
What to Watch for?
Defensive Intensity
The Lakers are a young team and often young teams can be forced into mistakes with good defensive intensity. The Kings emphasis on defense could really pay off against the Lakers, but the commitment and effort have to be there. Monitor the Kings defensive play all night.
The DeMarcus Cousins Show?
Last time out against this Lakers squad, Cousins put up 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, a block, and a plus 17 plus/minus in only 15 minutes. Last season, Cousins was a monster against the Lakers. He averaged 27.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.0 blocks per game on 50.8% from the field and 83.3% from the foul line in 4 games. Cousins usually has no trouble dominating against the Lakers, so don’t be surprised if he really puts on a show this evening.
The Two Point Guard Pairing?
The Kings unleashed the two point guard pairing for the first time last game against Maccabi Haifa. You can read more about the pairing here, but it is worth noting they played it against the non-NBA competition. Will this be the first game we see it used against an NBA team? I have no idea if Coach Joerger plans to use it, but I for one am excited to see how it looks against NBA competition.
The Las Vegas Atmosphere
There has been much talk about Las Vegas wanting a professional basketball team of their own, so I will be interested to see the turnout and the atmosphere at tonight’s game. This could be the next step in Vegas getting their own franchise. This is a situation worth monitoring if you are a general NBA fan.
Summary
Tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Las Vegas should be a fun action packed affair. The Kings come in health and ready to get some revenge on the Lakers. The Lakers will bring a heavy dose of D’Angelo Russell tonight, but the Kings will counter with a heavier dose of DeMarcus Cousins.
Next: Ty Lawson and Darren Collison A Hit on the Court Together
I am excited to see the game and the next developments of the Kings under Coach Dave Joerger. We may even see something new and unexpected from the Kings. It happened last game with the two point guard pairing. Check back to A Royal Pain for the post game recap and everything you need to know about the Kings. Thanks for reading.