Sacramento Kings: Game 34 Preview at Denver Nuggets

Feb 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) drives to the net against Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) in the fourth quarter at Pepsi Center. The Kings defeated the Nuggets 114-110. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) drives to the net against Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) in the fourth quarter at Pepsi Center. The Kings defeated the Nuggets 114-110. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 14, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Malachi Richardson (5) drives with the ball as Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) defends during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Malachi Richardson (5) drives with the ball as Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) defends during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

What to Watch for?

Boogie vs Joker

Nikola Jokic’s season has taken off since Coach Malone moved him to play center.  Tonight, the NBA’s best center comes to town in DeMarcus Cousins.  This should be a great showdown between two unique skill sets.  I am more than excited to see how Boogie handles Jokic.

If Nikola Jokic has one flaw in his game it is on the defensive end of the floor, so do not be surprised to see Boogie take full advantage tonight.  It should be a great matchup that is worth the price of admission, regardless.

The Lone Point Guard

More from A Royal Pain

If Ty Lawson misses tonight’s game with his facial fracture (and it is difficult to fathom him suiting up), that should mean big minutes for Darren Collison.  Collison has been struggling lately and it looked as if Lawson was overtaking him for the lion’s share of the point guard minutes.  Now, it is time for Collison to set up and prove he is a legitimate starting NBA point guard.

Do not be surprised to see the high 30s in minutes for Collison tonight and let us hope that big statistical line follows.

If you want to see the statistical line I predicted for Darren Collison or any other King’s player in tonight’s game then check out my predicting the box score column found here.  It is a fast and informative read about this game.  Thank you.

Malachi Reborn

Malachi Richardson is a rookie shooting guard from Syracuse who was picked 22nd overall in the 2016 NBA Draft.  That is pretty much all Kings’ fans know about Malachi Richardson these days.  Richardson has played a total of 32 minutes in the Kings first 33 games this season.

Now that the calendar has ticked over to 2017, Coach Joerger thinks it is time to see what Malachi can do.  In a recent article by James Ham, Joerger made comments about getting Richardson into the rotation and seeing what he could do.

The shooting guard play for the Kings this season has been lackluster, so I hope Richardson can prove himself and improve that position for the team.  Continue to monitor his playing time and production going forward.

Schedule