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Thunder at Kings: Pregame Primer

Thunder at Kings: Pregame Primer

vs.

OKC Thunder (54-26, 24-16 road) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (24-56, 11-28 home)

TV: FSOK (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 754)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 9:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 111.2 (5th), Kings– 103.0 (25th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 107.1 (15th), Kings – 108.8 (19th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.6 (13th), Kings – 92.4 (4th)

View from the enemy: Cowbell Kingdom

Here’s exactly what I said to my dad over lunch Sunday afternoon. “I really think we’re going to beat the Lakers tonight. But I’m positive we’ll lose to the Kings Monday.” He simply said, “They better not.”

But that’s the feeling I get. Big, emotional win in Los Angeles. And then a quick turnaround to play the Kings — who are playing really well right now, mind you — less than 24 hours after the Laker game wrapped up.

Sacramento coming in: The Kings have won seven of 11 and last played last night.

THE MATCHUPS
The player to fear is Marcus Thornton. That dude can score. He’s played extremely well as of late so both Thabo and James Harden will have their hands full.

DeMarcus Cousins has quietly played some pretty good ball the last couple months so he’ll be a handful inside for Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka. The Kings start Samuel Dalembert next to him, so Perk will likely shade a bit to help on Cousins.

Tyreke Evans should play, even though he’s still battling some foot issues. He’s not entirely himself right now, but the guy is still really, really good. I mean, did you see this?

The Kings don’t really have a great defender to check Kevin Durant and Beno Udrih will struggle with Russell Westbrook. But the Kings have a little talent and they’re riding a wave too.

This is very likely the second to last home game for the Kings in Sacramento. The place is going to be fired up. The players will be fired up. This isn’t a walk in and win situation. This will be difficult.

Tip at 9:00 CT. Go Thunderuppers.