Programming note: Nuggets-Kings coverage starts Friday at 6:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet California (territorial restrictions apply) and streaming live right here
SACRAMENTO -- The Kings look to prove that their 104-83 win over Oklahoma City on Wednesday wasn’t a fluke as they host the Nuggets on Friday, who are on a three-game winning streak.
Sacramento (15-20) and Denver (16-20) share similar records, yet the Kings beat the Nuggets twice during the first week of the season.
This second game of a six-game homestand is critical for the Kings to demonstrate that they’re making progress under coach Tyrone Corbin.
[REWIND: Kings demonstrate potential, down dangerous Thunder]
BETTING LINE:
Kings by 3.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH:
DeMarcus Cousins vs Jusuf Nurkic. Cousins has recorded double-doubles in 15 of his last 19 games and the Kings must exploit the rookie and a Nuggets front court minus Timofey Mozgov, who Denver traded to Cleveland for two future first-round picks on Wednesday.
HERENDA’S AGENDA:
1. Sac Attack - Going inside to Cousins early and often while also looking to run the break for transition points will open up the perimeter game for the Kings.
Going inside must be a priority as the Kings have a 4-10 record when scoring fewer points in the paint than their opponents.
2. Getting to the line - If the Kings attack they’ll get to the charity stripe, where Sacramento leads the NBA in free throw attempts per game at 30.8 per night.
The Kings are 2-6 when getting to the line less frequently than the opposition.
3. Remember the D - Sacramento held the Thunder to 83 points and are 7-4 when keeping opponents below 100 points.
Can the Kings hold the Nuggets, who average 101.8 points per game, under 100 points?
INJURY UPDATE:
Kings - F Omri Casspi (left knee bone contusion), G Ramon Sessions (low back strain) & F Eric Moreland (surgery left shoulder labral tear) are out.
Nuggets - F Darrell Arthur (left peroneal longus strain) is probable while F Danilo Gallinari (right knee meniscal tear), C JaVale McGee (left lower leg strain) and G Randy Foye (right vastus lateralis strain) are out.
SERIES HISTORY:
The Kings have taken the first two of four matchups versus the Nuggets this season. Their final meeting is Sunday, April 12 in Denver.
The Kings lead the series versus the Nuggets 60-59 in the Sacramento era but trail the overall series 84-83.
QUOTABLE:
Kings coach Tyrone Corbin on Sacramento’s Big Three of Cousins, Gay and Collison.
“When they are executing and clicking on the pace they were the other night (Combined 75 points in 104-83 Kings win over OKC), we’re very difficult to guard . . . The more we can get those guys going, the better chance we have to win ballgames.”
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