Programming note: Kings-Thunder coverage starts Sunday at 3:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet California with Kings Pregame Live (territorial restrictions apply)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- How quickly things can change in the NBA.
The Kings (5-1) find themselves on the unfamiliar opposite end of a “trap game” at Oklahoma City due to Sacramento’s unexpected strong start and the Thunder’s long injury report.
Sacramento is on a five game winning streak and is one of the surprise stories in the NBA’s young season.
Oklahoma City (1-5) has been absolutely decimated by injuries – including but no limited to their marquee players who are targeting December returns to the Thunder lineup:
• Kevin Durant (Jones fracture of right foot)
• Russell Westbrook (fracture of the second metacarpal in his right hand)
Sacramento’s two best players also are dealing with illness and injury - Rudy Gay (virus) is probable as well as DeMarcus Cousins who is dealing with a strained right thumb.
After a wild 114-112 double OT victory in Phoenix, this is the second of a four game “business trip” (in Kings coach Michael Malone’s lexicon, with Dallas and Memphis looming on Tuesday and Thursday).
Sacramento can take another step in Oklahoma City to prove their start is no fluke and win their fourth straight road game to increase their winning streak to six games.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
Cousins vs. Steven Adams: Assuming Cousins is a go, Adams and Serge Ibaka and the rest of the thin Thunder roster will be in help mode trying to contain Cousins.
Against a limited roster, expect the Kings to get touches for Cousins early in sharp contrast to Phoenix when Cousins didn’t attempt a field goal in the first quarter before finish with 25 points and 18 rebounds before fouling out with 34.7 seconds remaining in regulation.
KEYS TO VICTORY:
Defense- Oklahoma City is last in the NBA in scoring averaging with 90.5 points per game and the Kings need to continue the trend with their vexing defense.
Sacramento ranks fifth in the NBA in 3-point field goal defense and overall field goal defense.
This represents a significant turnaround from last season when the Kings ranked 29th and 20th in the league respectively in these defensive categories last season.
Rebounds – Limiting a struggling team’s second chance opportunities will be big for Sacramento at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The Kings were +18 in rebound margin Friday in Phoenix and have outrebounded each opponent this season.
The Kings are 2nd in the NBA in defensive rebounding and are leading the league in overall rebounding.
A similar rebounding effort is necessary versus the Thunder in their building.
Limit turnovers – Sacramento is 22nd in the NBA tied with Milwaukee averaging 16.3 turnovers per night.
Similar to rebounding, Sacramento cannot afford to help Oklahoma City’s anemic offense by providing the Thunder additional possessions due to the Kings' carelessness with the ball.
INJURY UPDATE:
For Sacramento, DeMarcus Cousins (sprained right thumb) – PROBABLE and Rudy Gay (virus) – PROBABLE
For Oklahoma City,
Kevin Durant is OUT (right foot Jones fracture)
Grant Jerrett is OUT (left ankle surgery)
Perry Jones is OUT (right knee contusion)
Mitch McGary is OUT (left foot fracture)
Anthony Morrow is OUT (left MCL sprain)
Andre Roberson is OUT (left foot sprain)
Russell Westbrook is OUT (right second metacarpal fracture)
SERIES HISTORY: (less than 100 words detailing series history)
SERIES HISTORY: This is the first of four meetings between the squads this season. Last season, the Thunder swept the series versus the Kings 4-0 with an average margin of victory of 11.25 points. The closest game was an 97-95 Oklahoma City win in Sacramento on December 3, 2013.
The Thunder lead the overall series 135-81, including 78-45 in the Sacramento era.
