Russell Westbrook

Shahbaz Khan

24 of the NBA’s best took center stage on Sunday in Toronto, combining for a record 369 points in a 196-173 Western Conference victory.

DeMarcus Cousins entered his second All-Star game at the 10:18 mark of the second quarter, and scored nine points in a four-minute span. His first basket of the night came on a three-pointer, a shot that undoubtedly contributed to Boogie’s nod into the All-Star game – exemplifying No. 15's versatility.

Later in the frame, DMC went coast-to-coast for an impressive slam, putting his dribbling ability on display with a smooth crossover.

Cousins’ night ended with 11 points (5-of-5 field goals), four rebounds and an assist.

"It was a good game, an exciting game," said Boogie following the contest.

boogie-scores-11-in-wests-big-win

Boogie Scores 11 in West’s Big Win

Steven Wilson

The Kings landed at Sacramento International Airport late Sunday night looking forward to an important two-week stretch.

Returning for two days of practices at the team’s Practice Facility before playing six games in a two-week span inside Sleep Train Arena, the team is happy to be home.

“It’s good to be back,” admitted Rudy Gay. “It’s given us something new to look forward to − starting the New Year off at home with a couple of wins.”

Continuing to work on offensive and defensive schemes on Monday and Tuesday, the Kings are looking to get back to achieving their ultimate goal.

“We want to win games − we’re disappointed in some of our performances, but the only way we’re going to get through that is to work through it,” said Head Coach Tyrone Corbin. “These guys came in today and got a good day’s work in.”

“This is a tough stretch for us at home before we get back on the road at the end of the month, but we have to take it one opponent at a time… starting with OKC tomorrow.”

No. 8 will match up with Durant for the second time this season. Although playing in only 12 games during the 2014-15 campaign so far, the superstar forward from OKC is averaging 24.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.

“He’s a great player and we’ve always kind of went at it when we’ve played against each other,” the Kings small forward said after practice on Tuesday.

“As a competitor, that’s what you want − to be able to play against the best. He is a great player and he continues to get better and better every year.”

Last time the Thunder were in the River City, Durant and Westbrook combined for 58 points in a 104-92 win on Dec. 16.

Although OKC is one game under .500 - Durant and Westbrook have missed a combined 37 games – the Thunder will come to Sleep Train Arena on Wednesday with their full squad.  Since the start of the 2010-11 season, Oklahoma City has gone 177-66 (.728) with Durant, Ibaka and Westbrook in the starting lineup.

Rudy and the Kings will hope to have the same success against KD as the Warriors did one night ago in Oakland.

Durant managed just 14 points against the Warriors, hitting only three of his 16 attempts from the field.

In each of his last two outings, Derrick Williams has scored in double-figures with 12 points against Detroit and 17 coming against Minnesota. In that span, No. 13 is shooting 55.0 percent from the floor (11-20 FG).

“I think as we pick the pace up, it helps his game,” Head Coach Tyrone Corbin said of Williams. “It helps how he likes to play. We can move him around a little bit more − playing him at the four and sometimes at the three − making sure we get him more time on the floor.”

Williams earned his first start of the season against the Timberwolves and responded with a solid stat line to start the New Year. The Arizona product has also seen increased minutes in January, playing an average of 27 minutes per game over the past two contests.

Understanding the added dimension Williams brings to the table, Corbin realizes his playing time will vary on any given night.

“It’s a balance − it depends on the matchup of the game,” he concluded.

The Kings leader hopes Williams can continue to provide a spark off the bench and keep his efficiency up.

Russell Westbrook

Boogie Scores 11 in West’s Big Win

Rudy, Kings Prep for Six-Game Homestand