Preview: Los Angeles Lakers at Sacramento Kings (Kobe’s Final Game in Sacramento)

Dec 21, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) lines up between Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) and center Robert Sacre (50) on a Kings free throw during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) lines up between Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) and center Robert Sacre (50) on a Kings free throw during the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

After breaking the many hearts of Sacramento Kings fans, Kobe Bryant will step on to Sleep Train Arena for the final time in his career. The Kings will host the Los Angeles Lakers tonight in the second part of a doubleheader that is broadcasted by TNT.

The Kings recently suffered a bitter loss to the Dallas Mavericks, which ended in a Deron Williams game-winning three-pointer in double overtime. Other than that the Kings might be playing their best span of basketball so far this season. The team is playing with more heart, energy, and determination than ever before, and their play has translated to it.

The Lakers, on the other hand, are continuing to suffer through their nightmarish season. The team is currently in the midst of their rebuilding process which has consisted of building around young and promising talent. Although the potential is there, the inexperience and youth are also present, resulting in the Lakers being in the basement of the Western conference with an 8-28 record.

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This is a game that the Kings need to win tonight. Strangely this season, and past seasons before, the Kings have struggled against inferior competition.

Right now they are the 9th seed in the Western Conference, and for the purple and white to keep making ground for a playoff seed they need to take advantage in a game like this one.

Overall, I do see Sacramento coming out with the victory tonight. Expect Cousins to have a monster game in the paint and Rudy Gay to have his way offensively against the Lakers hapless defense. The defense of Sacramento should also have no problem against the Lakers offense, who average just 96.4 points a game.

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Basically, play like this game matters and show effort. If able to do so, the Kings should come out with the victory tonight. If the Kings are able to do what they have been doing in the past three games, they should have no problem.

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