Kings vs. Raptors gameday: DeRozan’s return to Toronto, injury news and 3 things to watch
DeMar DeRozan will return to the city where his NBA career began when the Sacramento Kings visit the Toronto Raptors on Saturday at Scotiabank Arena.
Both teams will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back. The Kings handed the Atlanta Hawks a 123-115 loss on Friday at State Farm Arena. The Raptors suffered a 131-125 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Toronto.
The Kings (3-2) have won three in a row after opening the season with close losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lakers. The Kings beat the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Monday before starting a four-game road trip with wins over the Utah Jazz and Hawks.
The Raptors (1-5) have lost four in a row and five of six to start the season. They opened with a 30-point loss to the unbeaten Cleveland Cavaliers and then knocked off the Philadelphia 76ers before falling to the Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, Charlotte Hornets and Lakers.
Kings guard Kevin Huerter has been ruled out due to illness. In addition, the Kings are missing rookie guard Devin Carter (shoulder) and backup center Orlando Robinson (knee). Robinson is expected to be reevaluated any day now after suffering a left MCL sprain in early October.
The Raptors are also missing a number of players. Scottie Barnes (right orbital fracture), Bruce Brown (knee surgery), Kelly Olynyk (lumbar strain) and Immanuel Quickley (pelvic contusion) are out.
Here are three things to watch in Saturday’s game.
DeRozan fitting in with Kings
DeRozan spent nine seasons with the Raptors after coming out of USC as the No. 9 pick in the 2009 NBA draft. This will be his first trip to Toronto since joining the Kings over the summer in a three-team sign-and-trade deal.
DeRozan scored 20 or more points in each of his first five games with the Kings. Only Chris Webber (7) and Oscar Robertson (6) had longer streaks of 20-point games to begin their tenures with the Kings.
DeRozan is averaging 23.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.2 steals for the Kings. He is shooting 55.4% from the field, 37.5% from 3-point range and 82.9% at the free-throw line.
Free throws
The Kings are No. 1 in the NBA in free-throw percentage (.837) and No. 11 in free-throw attempts (25.8). Last season, they ranked 21st in attempts (20.9) and 30th in percentage (.745).
DeRozan has helped the Kings turn their biggest weakness into a strength that will help them win games they lost last season while falling short of the playoffs. DeRozan is ninth in the NBA in free-throw attempts (8.2) while converting at a rate of almost 83% , but he isn’t the only one taking care of business at the line.
De’Aaron Fox is shooting 90.9% on 4.4 attempts per game, Domantas Sabonis is shooting 80% on 6.0 attempts and Malik Monk is shooting 78.6% on 2.8 attempts. Keegan Murray is 7 of 7 from the stripe, Keon Ellis is 5 of 6 and Trey Lyles is 4 of 4.
Scouting Toronto
Barnes is expected to miss at least three weeks after suffering an orbital fracture in Monday’s loss to the Nuggets. Through the first four games, Barnes averaged 19.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists.
RJ Barrett leads the team in scoring at 28.0 points per game, connecting on 54.1% from the field and 52.9% from 3-point range. Gradey Dick is averaging 20.8 points per game. Jakob Poeltl (14.7 ppg), Quickley (13.0 ppg) and Ochai Agbaji (11.2 ppg) are also scoring in double figures.
Former Kings guard Davion Mitchell is starting for the Raptors. He is averaging 8.8 points and 6.0 assists but shooting just 42% from the field and 28% from 3-point range.
Kings at Raptors
When: 4:30 p.m.
Where: Scotiabank Arena
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -8.5
Over/under: 235.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Devin Carter (shoulder); Isaiah Crawford (G League); Kevin Huerter (illness); Mason Jones (G League); Orlando Robinson (knee).
Raptors: DOUBTFUL — Immanuel Quickley (pelvis). OUT — Scottie Barnes (orbital fracture); Bruce Brown (knee); Ulrich Chomche (G League); Kelly Olynyk (back).
Sacramento Kings schedule
Nov. 2 at Toronto Raptors
Nov. 4 at Miami Heat
Nov. 6 vs. Toronto Raptors
Nov. 8 vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Nov. 10 at Phoenix Suns
This story was originally published November 2, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
