Highlights Video :
Philadelphia is playing the second of back-to-back games and is trying to avoid a third consecutive defeat.
Preview
The Sacramento Kings (19-28) responded well after the news that Rudy Gay will miss the rest of the season with an Achilles injury, and won three out of five games on their Eastern tour. Most recently, the Kings were victorious in Charlotte against the Hornets, 109-106. DeMarcus Cousins led Sacramento with a double-double of 35 points and 18 rebounds, Darren Collison added 17 points, while Anthony Tolliver contributed with 14 points, seven boards, and two steals. Cousins is the obvious player to watch tonight in a match-up against the talented Philadelphia frontcourt, while Collison should also be monitored as he is playing his best basketball since the beginning of the season. These rivals have met already this season, and the Kings won 102-100 at home, in late December.
The Philadelphia 76ers (17-29) came back to earth with two losses in a row against the Houston Rockets at home, and last night in Chicago to the Bulls, 108-121. Ersan Ilyasova led the 76ers with a double-double of 31 points and 11 rebounds, while Robert Covington also recorded a double-double of 21 points and 12 boards, along with three blocks. Nick Stauskas added 15 points, T.J. McConnell posted a double-double of 14 points and 12 dimes, while Nerlens Noel had 12 points, six rebounds, and three rejections. Covington has a favorable match-up against Garrett Temple and is the player to watch for the home team, especially if Joel Embiid is unable to feature. Embiid missed four out of the last five games due to a knee injury and is questionable to play tonight.
Keys to the game
Sacramento Kings
The Kings’ duo of Cousins and Collison is playing magnificently at the moment as they are combining almost 50 points per game over last seven days, and it is clear that the biggest threat comes from them two. Cousins’ dominating, all-round performances are crucial for Sacramento, while Collison’s support is important because Rudy Gay is sidelined and Darren turned out to be a sideshow to Cousins. If the pair combines for around 50 points in this one, Philadelphia will have a lot to the trouble in trying to defeat the Kings.
Philadelphia 76ers
It will be tough for the 76ers if Embiid misses this game, but Jahlil Okafor should be available to play; however, Philadelphia can’t rely on its frontcourt to the extent of when Embiid is not playing, so they will look for other solutions to win this game. Ilyasova and Covington are surely the players able to step up and combine for 50-plus points, which could be enough for a victory. They scored 52 in Chicago, but unfortunately for the 76ers, that was insufficient, because the Bulls played one of the best games of the season. If they repeat that performance here, the 76ers could return to winning ways.
Sacramento Kings projected starting lineup
PG – Collison / SG – Afflalo / SF – Temple / PF – Cousins / C – Koufos.
Cousins and Collison will lead the Kings in points, while Afflalo, Tolliver, and Lawson could provide them with strong contribution in the offence.
Philadelphia 76ers projected starting lineup
PG – McConnell / SG – Stauskas / SF – Covington / PF – Ilyasova / C – Okafor (Noel).
Covington’s favourable match-up could help him to be the 76ers' leader in this game, but he will undoubtedly get help from Ilyasova, Noel, Saric, and Henderson.
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