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Sacramento Kings: What to watch for against Charlotte

By Jonathan Roberts

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 22: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets handles the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 22, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 22: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets handles the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 22, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Coming off a big win over the Detroit Pistons, the Sacramento Kings will look to move over .500 against a reeling Charlotte Hornets team.

After demolishing the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night, the Sacramento Kings continue their three-game home stand against a Charlotte Hornets team that has dropped seven of their last 10 games. The Sacramento Kings aren’t too much better in that regard, as they’re just 4-6 over their last 10, but have dealt with injuries and a brutal stretch of games since the new year.

This will be the first of two meetings between these teams this season, with the next coming on Jan. 17 in Charlotte. It also is the fourth-straight game for the Kings against teams under .500, they’ve gone 2-1 thus far with six of their next nine games against sub-.500 teams.

What to watch for

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Willie Cauley-Stein has been on a roll lately—averaging a double-double in seven games since Dec. 30. The Hornets power rotation currently consists on Marvin Williams, Bismarck Biyombo, Miles Bridges and Cody Zeller, a quartet Cauley-Stein should have no problem against, especially if he’s wanting a $100 million contract in the summer.

Still, Cauley-Stein was unimpressive at best against Charlotte last season. In two games, Cauley-Stein averaged 9.5 points, nine rebounds, 2.5 assists and one steal against the Hornets, while shooting just 29.6 percent from the field. The Sacramento Kings lost both games. So, can Cauley-Stein lead the Kings to a win this time around? Time will tell.

De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield are obvious keys to victory tonight. While both have had good seasons so far, rarely have they both been ‘on’ offensively at the same time, but when they are—look out. In eight games this season where Hield and Fox both scored at least 20 points, the Sacramento Kings are 5-3, but have dropped two straight against playoff teams. They’re 5-0 when both score 20-plus against sub-.500 teams, however.

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Harry Giles had a coming out party of sorts Thursday night, as he tallied 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and three blocks in 23 minutes against the Pistons. Will he be able to string together a pair of solid performances? It certainly seems as though the Summer League Harry Giles has returned, but it’s important he keeps up his strong play.

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