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Sacramento Kings: 3 Players To Watch For Against Minnesota

By Rafe Wong

SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 9: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 9, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - NOVEMBER 9: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 9, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Which three players from the Sacramento Kings should basketball fans watch for during tonight’s matchup between the Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves?

The Sacramento Kings are in the Twin Cities as they will face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight.

Currently, the Kings are coming off a big win yesterday against the Dallas Mavericks which has their season record at 16-12. As for Minnesota, they are still trying to get back into the playoff picture as they stand at a record of 13-16.

Throughout the season, both squads have played each other twice already, and to the Kings’ fortune, they have been the victors of both battles. But this time around, the game is hosted by the Timberwolves which gives the purple and white a disadvantage.

For the Kings to defeat the Timberwolves for a third time this season, they need to have a good performance by their collective group. But with that said, there will be a few players that the team relies on more than others.

Let us discuss those players. 

Player #1: De’Aaron Fox

Last night, De’Aaron Fox put his team on his back when playing against the Mavericks as he scored 28 points and dished out five assists. He does not need to have that elite of a performance tonight, but he still needs to be a big contributor to his team.

Offensively, Fox needs to be aggressive. He needs to continue to push the pace every chance he gets so he can set himself and his teammates for easy scores. Defensively, he needs to make sure that he is making Jeff Teague and Derrick Rose uncomfortable throughout the night. Both Teague and Rose have the ability to get hot and spark their team so Fox must play solid defense to prevent that from happening.

Player #2: Willie Cauley-Stein

It is important for Cauley-Stein to have a good night on both ends of the floor, but with that said, how he performs defensively is significant to whether the Kings leave with the win or not.

For the Timberwolves to be successful, they need their All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns to have a dominant outing. In Sacramento’s last match against Minnesota, Cauley-Stein was able to limit Towns to just 19 points which contributed to the Kings’ win. Willie will need to have a similar defensive outing tonight in order to help his team. If Towns is able to get hot, the Kings could be leaving Minnesota with the L.

Player #3: Buddy Hield

For the Kings’ offense to be lethal tonight, Buddy Hield needs to have a good scoring performance. He needs to move well without the ball in his hands in order to get open and make sure he is hitting his shots.  Also, there will be times where Buddy will have to guard the athletic freak that is Andrew Wiggins. Last time the Kings played the Timberwolves, Wiggins had himself a good night as he scored 25 points. If Buddy can help prevent Wiggins to catch fire, it will help Sacramento immensely on the defensive end.

There have been six games this season where both Fox and Hield were able to score 20 points. In those games, Sacramento has won five times. The Kings are at their best when their young and exciting backcourt is on their A-game. Hopefully, that is the case for them tonight.

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