Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs Sacramento Kings

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The San Antonio Spurs conclude their quick three game home stand tonight with a game against the Sacramento Kings.

The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT and will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest. The game can also be heard on the radio on WOAI 1200 AM.

How will San Antonio fare against Sacramento? We take a look at recent history, injuries, and key matchups to predict the outcome of the game!

Recent Games

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs head into this game looking for their sixth straight victory. The Spurs have been on a tear as of late, winning their last game 106-100 against the Indiana Pacers. San Antonio used an 18-2 run in the fourth quarter to close out that game and pick up their eighth win in their last nine games.

The Spurs lost 94-91 in a game with the Kings in Sacramento earlier this season so they will definitely be looking for some revenge this time around.

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings come into this game trying to pick up their third win on this four game road trip. The Kings lost their last game against the Houston Rockets and are looking to bounce back tonight against the Spurs.

Overall, Sacramento has been solid after going through a three game losing streak earlier in the season. The Kings have won four of their last six and are looking to start a new win streak.

Injuries

San Antonio Spurs

Cory Joseph, Point Guard – Joseph rolled his ankle in the first quarter of the Spurs’ 121-92 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He has missed San Antonio’s last two games and is listed as probable for tonight’s game. Expect his minutes to go to other guards on the team if he can’t go.

Patty Mills, Point Guard – Mills is still healing from surgery on his torn rotator cuff. Expect his at the point to go to other guards on this Spurs roster, maybe even to rookie Kyle Anderson.

Gregg Popovich, Coach – Popovich will once again sit out the Spurs game following a minor medical procedure. Ettore Messina is expected to pick up the head coaching duties tonight.

Tiago Splitter, Center – Splitter re-aggravated his right calf injury in the game against the Hawks and is listed as day-to-day with no timetable for return. Look for Boris Diaw and Matt Bonner to pick up his minutes.

Sacramento Kings

Darren Collison, Point Guard – Collison is dealing with a quad injury and is listed as questionable for tonight’s game. Look for Ramon Sessions to get the start if Collison is unable to go.

DeMarcus Cousins, Center – Cousins has been ruled out of tonight’s game due to illness. Expect Carl Landry to pick up some of Cousins’ minutes.

Rudy Gay, Small Forward – Gay continues to suffer with an Achilles injury. The injury is not too serious though as the Kings have listed the forward as questionable tonight. Expect Omri Casspi to pick up the start if Gay does not play.

Key Matchups

Tonight’s key matchup is a difficult one to pick with the Kings potentially missing their three best players. Since Sacramento could be without their three best guys, it will be up to shooting guard Ben McLemore to carry more of the offensive load. He will be matched up against the San Antonio Spurs’ Danny Green which makes these two our focus for the key matchup. Both guards are role players and if either can play above expected, they could have an impact on the final score.

Danny Green will be looking to rebound after a surprisingly poor outing in the Spurs last game. Green only posted two points in San Antonio’s win over Indiana while shooting a poor 1-of-4 from the floor. His offensive ability, while important, will not be the main focus of tonight. Green will have to slow down offensive threat Ben McLemore as the Kings guard will most likely become the first option for Sacramento with the Kings best players potentially out tonight.. SG. San Antonio Spurs. DANNY GREEN. SG

SG. Ben McLemore has played great as of late, providing a nice fourth option for the ever-improving Sacramento Kings. McLemore will be called on to burden more of the Kings offensive load tonight with Sacramento’s three best players potentially sidelined. If his last four games are any indication though, McLemore should be able to provide solid offensive output in an increased role. He has put up 14, 10, 22, and 11 points over those last four games.. SG. Sacramento Kings. BEN MCLEMORE

Prediction

The Sacramento Kings will definitely be without their best player DeMarcus Cousins and could be without their next best in Rudy Gay and Darren Collison. Tha makes for easy pickings for a San Antonio Spurs team that has been hot in recent outings.

Expect San Antonio to pick up their sixth straight win handedly against a depleted Sacramento roster. The Kings really have no shot in this one, especially fi they fall behind early.

92. 84. . 103. 29

Next: How Are the Spurs Coping With Tiago Splitter Out