Kings vs. Clippers gameday: DeRozan, Sabonis, Monk, Powell injuries and 3 things to watch
The Kings have help on the way as they prepare to play the Los Angeles Clippers in an NBA Cup in-season tournament game Friday night at Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis have been cleared to return after missing recent games due to lower back tightness. Malik Monk has been ruled out for Friday’s game as he recovers from a right ankle sprain, but could return as soon as Sunday when the Kings come home to face the Brooklyn Nets at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
The Kings (8-7) have lost two of their last three games. They are coming off a 109-108 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
The Clippers (9-7) are wrapping up a four-game homestand. They won the first three games, beating the Utah Jazz 116-105, the Golden State Warriors 102-99 and the Orlando Magic 104-93. Clippers scoring leader Norman Powell is out with a strained left hamstring. Kawhi Leonard has yet to suit up this season due to right knee injury recovery.
Here are three things to watch in Friday’s game.
Guardin’ James Harden
Kings coach Mike Brown is again emphasizing the importance of defending without fouling after allowing an average of 25.5 free-throw attempts over the past four games.
That will be especially important against Clippers guard James Harden, who is tied for 11th in the NBA with 7.0 free-throw attempts per game. Harden went 9 of 9 at the stripe in a 107-98 victory over the Kings on Nov. 8 in Sacramento.
Harden is averaging 20.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.8 assists, but he is committing 4.4 turnovers per game while shooting career lows of 37.2% from the field and 32% from 3-point range. The 10-time All-Star and 2018 MVP can still go win a game, but he has to get to the free-throw line to do it.
Hot Coffey
Amir Coffey didn’t disappoint in his first start of the season with Powell out of the lineup in Wednesday’s victory over the Magic. Coffey scored 18 points, going 6 of 10 from the field and 4 of 7 from 3-point range.
Coffey has been one of the team’s top reserves this season, averaging 10.1 points in 24.3 minutes per game. He is shooting 49.1% from the field and 46.4% from 3-point range on 3.5 attempts per game.
Sacramento’s 3-point shooting
The Kings have suddenly caught fire to move up to 23rd in the NBA in 3-point shooting at 34%. They were last in the league after shooting 30.1% over the first 11 games, but they are No. 1 at 43.4% over the past four games.
Kings at Clippers
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Intuit Dome
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -2.5
Over/under: 220.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Devin Carter (shoulder); Isaiah Crawford (ankle); Mason Jones (hamstring); Malik Monk (ankle).
Clippers: OUT — Kawhi Leonard (knee); Norman Powell (hamstring); P.J. Tucker (not with team).
