Fresh off their first win to start the second half of the season, the Kings head south to face the Los Angeles Clippers − a team that’s won three straight.
Los Angeles will be without their leading scorer Blake Griffin, who is averaging 22.5 points this year, but is nursing an elbow injury. The Clippers power forward underwent surgery prior to the All-Star break for a staph infection.
DeMarcus Cousins, who missed the last meeting between the teams with an ankle injury, will also make his return to the Staples Center, where he led his team to victory with a 34-point performance back on Nov. 2.
Tonight’s contest will mark the third meeting between the two teams in the season series with the Kings winning the first, 98-92, and the Clippers taking game two in Sacramento, 117-108.
- Although DeMarcus Cousins did not play against L.A. in the last meeting between the squads, he did rack up game-highs of 34 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Kings to victory over the Clippers in their first matchup of the year. In that game, Rudy Gay added 25 points.
- In the second meeting of the season, Jason Thompson stepped up in Cousins' absence with one of the best games of his career, scoring 23 points to go with a career-high 22 rebounds.
- Kings guard Darren Collison (2013-14) and forward Ryan Hollins (2012-13 - 2013-14) played for the Clippers. Meanwhile, several current Clippers played for the Kings including Matt Barnes (2004-05), Jared Cunningham (2013-14), Spencer Hawes (2007-08 - 2009-10) and Hedo Turkoglu (200-01 - 2002-03).
- Over the past three games, L.A.’s DeAndre Jordan has scored at least 22 points and grabbed 18 rebounds. That stretch includes a pair of 20-20 outings. Opponents have also tried to send him to the line. He’s made a whooping 54 trips to the charity stripe in his last two games − the most by any player over a two-game span dating back to 1963-64.
Projected Starters
Broadcasts: TV – CSNCA
Comcast - 34 / 721
Dish - 452 / 9574
Hopper - 412-40
DirecTV - 698-1
AT&T - 768 / 1768
Radio – KHTK Sports 1140 AM
Tweets of the Day
Injury Update:
Kings:
- Darren Collison (Right Hip Flexor Sprain) is out.
- Reggie Evans (Right Knee Contusion)is out.
- Eric Moreland (Left Shoulder Labral Tear) is out.
Clippers:
- Austin Rivers (Sore Left Ankle) is questionable.
- Blake Griffin (Right Elbow Surgery) is out.