Sacramento Kings: Game 3 Preview versus Minnesota Timberwolves

Dec 18, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) passes in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng (5) at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) passes in the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng (5) at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sacramento Kings host the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 29, 2016.  This article examines everything Kings fans need to know about tonight’s game.

The Sacramento Kings continue their home stand on October 29, 2016, against the Minnesota Timberwolves.  The Kings played well last time out against the Spurs despite dropping the contest 102-94.  Below is a highlight video from that game in case you missed it.

Let us get to the game preview for tonight’s game against Minnesota.

Injuries

The Kings remain healthy heading into tonight’s contest.  Darren Collison will serve game three of his eight-game suspension.  Expect another hefty dose of minutes for Ty Lawson and Garrett Temple picking up the remaining point guard minutes.

Minnesota Timberwolves’ Scouting Report

Minnesota enters the season with one of the league’s great young cores under the leadership of new Head Coach Tom Thibodeau.  Former number one overall picks Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins lead the way for the team.

The Timberwolves lost their opening game this season against the Memphis Grizzlies.  Here is a highlight video from that game, so you can get a glimpse at this year’s Timberwolves squad.

Coach Thibodeau is known for playing his starters big minutes and playing a ten man rotation.  He is very consistent with his minutes and rotations, so there should be no surprises for the Kings to face in that area.

What to Watch for?

First Home Win

Sacramento has produced two great performances this season despite their one and one record.  They are looking for their first regular season win in the Golden 1 Center tonight.  The crowd was sold out and rocking against the Spurs, so expects another packed house on a Saturday night.  Hopefully, they pitch in on the Kings first home win in the new arena.

Boogie versus KAT

I am hopeful that we see this match-up early and often in the game.  Towns is the reigning Rookie of the Year against a man on a mission in DeMarcus Cousins.  Cousins is averaging 30.5 points and 11.0 rebounds in his two contests this season.  A great match-up of two great and only getting better players is worth the price of admission itself.

Rubio versus Lawson

I have been impressed with Ty Lawson this season.  He looks quick and rededicated to basketball this season.  Rubio has rated out as a good defender for his career, so it will be interesting to see if Lawson is held in check for this game.

Improvements

The schedule has been packed for Sacramento and it has not allowed for practice time recently, but the Kings continue to improve under Coach Joerger’s leadership.  I have been impressed with the improvements from the opening of camp to the regular season.  The excitement level is high for what is in store for the Kings this season and this game against Minnesota is the next step.

Summary

There you have it, what I am looking for in game three against the Minnesota Timberwolves.  The Kings enter the contest favored against Minnesota.  That would bring their record to two and one.  Sacramento needs to play good defense, create turnovers, and move the ball on offense to secure win number two.

It should be a fun and exciting game, so tune in and enjoy.  The game is on NBA TV tonight for fans not in the Sacramento area.  That should give the game a bigger audience and hopefully, the Kings step their game up accordingly.

Next: Sacramento Kings: Kentucky Alumni Wrestling Match

Check back to A Royal Pain for the game recap and everything you need to know about the Sacramento Kings this season.  Thank you for reading.