The Sacramento Kings return to the court Saturday in Memphis looking to snap a three-game losing. They’ll face a seasoned Grizzlies team that has won two straight and six of their last seven.
Sacramento is the NBA’s Jekyll and Hyde team. After winning five straight, they appeared to be back on the straight and narrow. But back-to-back losses on Monday and Tuesday, followed by a lackluster effort in New Orleans has the Kings on the outside looking in of the Western Conference playoff race.
The Grizzlies started the season slowly, but the veteran laden team has found a groove and currently sit in fifth place in the west. Coach Dave Joerger uses a balanced attack that sees six Memphis players in double-figures, led by big man Marc Gasol at 16.6 points per game.
LINE:
Grizzlies by 3.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH:
DeMarcus Cousins vs. Marc Gasol-- It wasn’t that long ago that Gasol was considered the best center in the game. Cousins now owns that title. The Kings star big man will look to draw out Gasol and then beat him off the dribble. Gasol will score when the opportunity presents itself, but he could teach Cousins a thing or two about passing out of the post.
WHERE THEY STAND:
Kings: 20-26, third place in Pacific
Grizzlies: 27-20, second place in Southwest
INJURY REPORT:
Kings: G Marco Belinelli is out (gastroenteritis), F Rudy Gay (corneal abrasion) listed as probable and expected to play after missing previous two games, F Eric Moreland (foot surgery) out, F Duje Dukan (lower leg) out.
Grizzlies: F Brandan Wright (knee) out.
SERIES HISTORY:
This is the second of three matchups between these two team during the 2015-16 season. Memphis knocked off the Kings 103-89 in the first week of the season, but Sacramento was without the services of DeMarcus Cousins. The Kings hold a 43-34 record against the Grizzlies all-time.
