A Royal Pain
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Preview: Keys For The Sacramento Kings Against The L.A. Clippers

By Rafe Wong

Oct 28, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) is called for a loose ball foul against Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) is called for a loose ball foul against Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Sacramento Kings 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sacramento Kings three-game winning streak ended Wednesday night when they fell to the San Antonio Spurs 108-92.

They now have the chance to start another streak of wins tonight, but it will not be easy as they play against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Sacramento is currently behind 4 games for the 8th seed in the Western Conference, but a win tonight against a competitive Clippers squad will help in the records books and their confidence going forward. But how the heck are the Kings suppose to execute this upset?

The Clippers are one of the top teams in the West with a record of 37-20 (4th seed) and the Kings you know… are well the Kings.

Most likely it looks though the purple and white (actually powder blue and red tonight) are likely not to come out of this matchup with a victory. It’s definitely possible, but a lot has to go right. Here are what the Kings need to do.

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When it comes to offense all the players have to bring their best, but particularly DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay. When the top two scorers for the Kings can put the ball into the bucket with ease the Kings are just better.

For these two players in wins, this season Cousins is averaging 30.3 points off 49.4% shooting and 45.8% from behind the arc. For Gay, he is averaging 20.9 points per contest off of 53.9% shooting and 34.7% from the perimeter.

Numbers and eye test prove that the Kings are more competitive when Cousins and Gay together have good offensive outings, and it will be needed if the team wants to be victorious tonight.

Now moving towards the defensive side, the harder side. Basically, the Kings need to play good defense in order to hold off the Clippers. The playing of defense, however, has been tough for Sacramento, similar to how a right-hander tries to write using their left.

For some reason, the Kings just look clueless on the defensive end, and, as a result, are currently dead last in the league in points allowed per game. Allowing over 109 points per game.

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For the Kings to play good defense tonight it will take a mix of players sticking with their opponents, executing rotations properly, and showing tenacious effort. If the Kings can do that, well anything possible can happen with this team.

For the Kings to beat a tough opponent in the Clippers tonight it’s simple. As a collective group, they must showcase at least solid performances on both ends of the court.

The Kings are currently in possibly their hardest stretch of games this season. In the next 7 contests, Sacramento will be facing off against the Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans, and Cleveland Cavaliers.

With the Kings already having to play catch-up in the standings, wins have to come now. Hopefully, for Kings fans, their beloved team is able to pull a tortoise and the hare upset which can boost their confidence into what will be a brutal stretch going forward.

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