Game Preview: Sacramento Kings Look To School The Timberwolves

Dec 18, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) gets a charge foul in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Sacramento Kings 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) gets a charge foul in the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Sacramento Kings 99-95. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Sacramento Kings (27-43) can’t salvage this season. But they can go into Target Center and beat the Minnesota Timberwolves (22-48) tonight like they should have earlier in the season.

The Kings are looking to not lose for the third time to Minnesota. The young Timberwolves have been streaky this season but have shown some highlight moments that are previews of what you can expect in the upcoming years. They have a strong, youthful core with Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and leading Rookie of the Year candidate Karl-Anthony Towns. And they can be very dangerous.

They have proven to be dangerous for the Kings this season, dropping the first two games against them, 101-91 on Nov. 27 and 99-95 on Dec. 18. But the Kings have a chance tonight to teach the baby Wolves a few things, and that starts with DeMarcus Cousins down in the block. 

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Karl-Anthony Towns is probably going to be Rookie of the Year, but Boogie can teach him a few things. Cousins has been unstoppable this year and tallied another double-double with 19 points and 18 rebounds Monday night in Chicago. The last time these two teams met he posted 24 points and 12 boards.

The Kings are on a four-game road trip where they lost in Detroit, beat the Knicks with defense, and let a game slip away in Chicago. They will be looking to split the wins/loses this trip and that would be a big success for Sacramento. The Kings should have played the spoiler and beaten the Bulls on Monday, but sloppy ball handling plagued them once again.

The Wolves have lost two in a row to Houston and Golden State. They will be hungry for a win on their home court tonight. The Kings can get the win in Minneapolis if they stick to the basics and do them well.

The Three Keys To The Game:

  • Give Boogie The Ball- The Wolves can’t stop him, so just feed the big man. It works.
  • Active Defense Pestering the young Timberwolves’ stars with tenacious defense can throw them off their game. James Anderson will probably be starting again, and is supposedly one of the Kings best defenders. He can prove that tonight.
  • A Message To You Rudy-

    Sacramento’s offense greatly depends on

    Rudy Gay

    and him hitting his shots.

    If Rudy

    is making threes and 18-footers in the first quarter, the Kings should be rolling to a win.

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    Ben McLemore is listed as doubtful for tonight’s game with an injured finger. Why Darren Collison isn’t starting is beyond me. But this whole season hasn’t made much sense.

    If the Kings come out playing motivated and don’t fall behind by 15 points early in the game, they should be able to come back to Sacramento with a win.

    Schedule