Programming note: Thunder-Kings coverage starts tonight at 6:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet California (territorial restrictions apply) and streaming live right here
The Kings return home after a lackluster 1-3 road trip having lost 10 of their last 13 games. The Thunder, coming off a 117-91 loss to the Warriors on Monday, have won four of their last six games.
Sacramento hasn’t beaten Oklahoma City since 2012 and has dropped the first two meetings this season versus the Thunder.
OKC presents a tough obstacle to the Kings as they look to get back into their early season winning groove.
BETTING LINE
Thunder by 6.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Darren Collison vs. Russell Westbrook -- Collison is shooting 63 percent from the floor in his last five games and his defense will be needed as well as Westbrook is averaging 27 points and seven assists per night.
Rudy Gay vs. Kevin Durant -- Durant had 14 points in Monday’s loss to the Warriors, while Gay had a subpar 12 points in a loss in Motown on Sunday. Expect both players to show up Wednesday at Sleep Train Arena.
HERENDA’S AGENDA
1. No egalitarian D -- Westbrook & Durant combined for 58 points in the last meeting between the squads and the dynamic duo must be contained for Sacramento to succeed.
2. Get back Sac -- The Kings are 28th in the NBA in opponent fast-break points per game and must improve their transition defense.
3. Attack the glass -- Rebounding is paramount as the Kings lead the NBA in rebound margin at plus-5 while the Thunder are second at plus-4.2.
INJURY UPDATE
Kings -- F Omri Casspi (left knee bone contusion), G Ramon Sessions (low back strain) and F Eric Moreland (left shoulder labral tear) are out.
Thunder -- Mitch McGary (periostitis left tibia) is out.
SERIES HISTORY
The Kings and Thunder meet for the third of four times this season. Oklahoma City has won the first two games and swept the series last year, 4-0.
The Thunder lead the overall series over the Kings 137-81 including a 80-45 advantage in the Sacramento era.
QUOTABLE
Kings coach Ty Corbin on Sacramento’s plight:
"When you go through adversity, it really shows the character of who you are. How do you handle that? Do you fight your way through it? Separate and pick and choose things? Or you stay together and fight and see if you can work things out. That’s what we’re trying to do. Making sure that we keep everybody in this battle together, fight and try to be as good as we can be while we’re together."
*Opening betting line courtesy vegasinsider.com