SACRAMENTO -- After another less-than-stellar road trip that yielded just one win in four chances, the Sacramento Kings return home Friday night to face the Phoenix Suns.
The Kings have lost seven straight on their home floor, but they are looking to inch closer to the 30 win plateau for the first time since the team won 38 during the 2007-08 season.
[KINGS TALK: The Kings Insider Podcast: Episode 23 -- Doug Christie]
DeMarcus Cousins missed Wednesday night’s loss in Minnesota with a bruised right knee, but he is expected to return against the Suns. The last times these two teams faced off, Cousins dropped 32 points and nine rebounds while the Kings scored a season-high 142 points.
Phoenix has struggled all season, but there is a silver lining. Injuries and dysfunction have led to extended minutes for rookie Devin Booker and the NBA’s youngest player has responded by averaging 12.7 points on 42.6 percent shooting and 35.4 percent from behind the arc. Booker is a keeper and should fit nicely alongside either Eric Bledsoe or Brandon Knight for the foreseeable future.
LINE
Kings by 7
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 27-44, third place in Pacific
Suns: 20-51, fourth place in Pacific
MATCHUP TO WATCH
DeMarcus Cousins vs. Alex Len -- With Tyson Chandler sitting this one out, Len will get the start against one of the NBA’s best big men. Cousins feasted on the Suns the last time these two teams matched up and it’s hard to imagine anything different Friday night at Sleep Train Arena.
INJURY REPORT
Kings: C DeMarcus Cousins (sore right knee) participated in shootaround and is listed as probable, SG Ben McLemore (right ring finger) questionable, PG Rajon Rondo (toe, thumb, shoulder) probable, Marco Belinelli (sore right foot) questionable.
Suns: PG Eric Bledsoe (knee) out, F T.J. Warren (foot) out, C Tyson Chandler (back spasms) didn’t make the trip to Sacramento.
SERIES HISTORY
The last time these two teams met, the Kings won a barnburner by the final of 142-119. Phoenix leads the Kings 130-86 all-time and 83-47 during the Sacramento-era.
QUOTABLE
“Same stuff every night. Inconsistency. Not being able to put four quarters together. Not being able to play together as a team defensively. Not being there for each other. Same stuff.” -Darren Collison on the Kings season
