Sacramento Kings: Game 38 Preview vs Detroit Pistons

Mar 18, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) knocks the ball away from Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 115-108. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (13) knocks the ball away from Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 115-108. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
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Nov 11, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks to the basket between Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) and center Andre Drummond (0) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Detroit Pistons 101-92. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks to the basket between Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) and center Andre Drummond (0) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Detroit Pistons 101-92. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

What to Watch for?

Boogie vs Big Penguin

The marquee showdown of the night is DeMarcus Cousins against Andre Drummond.  This is a matchup of two All-Star centers.

According to Basketball-Reference, Drummond’s nickname is the Big Penguin.  I have never heard that nickname used, but I quite like the moniker.

Drummond has the reputation of being a great defensive center and the advanced metrics back that up.  It will be fascinating to see if he can shut down Boogie’s offensive game tonight in Sacramento.

If you want to see the statistical line I predicted for DeMarcus Cousins or any other Kings player then check out my predicting the box score column found here.  It is a fast and informative read about tonight’s contest if you are so inclined.  Thank you.

Rotation Madness

More from A Royal Pain

Coach Joerger continues to mix and match the rotation for the Kings.  He has played a different starting line-up in each of the last three games.  This has been a constant trend all season long.

Coach Joerger seems to have settled on a 9 player rotation and he has been consistent with those 9 players in the last 2 games.  I will be monitoring tonight to see if he sticks with those players and starts to give them consistent minutes.

Another Bad Match-up?

In recent history, the Pistons have dominated the series against the Kings.  Detroit has won 6 of the last 7 meetings against Sacramento according to Land of Basketball.  The Kings did win their home game last season, but it was the first win against the Pistons since 2012.

That is all in the past and the Kings have a new coach and different team this season, so let us hope that they can turnaround this match-up tonight and end their current losing streak.

Schedule