A Royal Pain
Fansided

Sacramento Kings: Game 82 Preview at Los Angeles Clippers

By Tyler Watts

Mar 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) guards Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) in the fourth quarter of the game at Staples Center. Kings won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) guards Sacramento Kings guard Darren Collison (7) in the fourth quarter of the game at Staples Center. Kings won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) gives chase as Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) grabs a rebound and passes it down court in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Kings won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) gives chase as Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) grabs a rebound and passes it down court in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Kings won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

What to Watch for Tonight

Playing the Rest Game

Predicting what the Sacramento Kings are going to do in this game feels a little bit like predicting the Powerball numbers.  There are only so many options and none of the possible outcomes would surprise me.

If we take it as a given that Anthony Tolliver (personal) and Kosta Koufos (rested in seven consecutive games) are out, that leaves us with ten players to pare the minutes and resting down to.

MUST READ: The Sacramento Kings Are Large and In Charge!

I believe Sacramento rests Darren Collison, Arron Afflalo, and Tyreke Evans in this game.  That leaves them just seven active players, but that has been the Kings’ motive recently.  They want the young guys to play big minutes and tonight represents one last chance to accomplish that goal.

Word of Warning:  I would not be shocked to see the Kings sit out Buddy Hield, Willie Cauley-Stein or any of the young players tonight.  These are pieces of their future and I would not put it past the Kings to rest them in order to preserve them from injury.

Playoff Attitude

Obviously, the Kings will not be in the playoffs this season, but the Clippers will be and they need a win to secure that home court advantage.  This is a great opportunity for the Kings to beat a team in a must-win game and get a small taste of emulating a playoff game.  The quality opponent is there and so is the pressure of something being on the line for them.  I hope the Kings bring an attitude tonight and knock off the Clippers in front of their home crowd.

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