Game Preview: Sacramento Kings (24-34) at Memphis Grizzlies (35-24)
Tonight the Sacramento Kings (24-34) travel to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies (35-24).
The Kings are looking to end their three-game losing streak to get the season moving in the right direction again. The Kings will have the chance tonight against a Grizzlies team that is without Marc Gasol, a player that has matched up well against DeMarcus Cousins in past contests.
The Grizzlies have dealt with the Gasol injury well, as they have only lost one game of their last four without him. Zach Randolph, a veteran player for this Grizzlies team, has stepped up and taken over the center position for Gasol.
However, this has left holes in other positions for the Grizzlies, but luck is on their side as they are facing a banged-up Kings team.
It is doubtful that the Kings will have Rudy Gay or Seth Curry for the second game in a row, a loss that hurt the Kings in their defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder Monday night.
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Gay is the second leading scorer on the team, and his offensive ability would be helpful tonight against a good defensive team in Memphis.
The Grizzlies tonight might look a little different with Zach Randolph moving back into the power forward position and the center position being filled by newcomer Chris Anderson.
Anderson was acquired from the Miami Heat and played 22 minutes on Feb. 29th. Anderson doesn’t match up well against Cousins so look for the Kings to exploit that weakness down low.
This is a winnable game for the Kings. They will need the help of the bench, but this is a game that could help the Kings gain some confidence back.
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They are going up against a Grizzlies team that doesn’t match up well in the center position and has had an easy stretch after the All-Star break, only facing one team that is above .500.
If the Kings can get off to a fast start and then focus on defense, something that the Kings have struggled with all season, then the Kings might be able to begin this road trip on a high note.