Kings vs. Lakers gameday: LeBron, Anthony Davis, Keegan Murray injuries; 3 things to watch
The Kings will look to avenge Thursday’s loss when they face the Los Angeles Lakers again in a matinee affair at 3 p.m. Saturday at Golden 1 Center.
The Kings are again searching for answers after opening a five-game homestand with back-to-back losses, falling 130-129 to the Denver Nuggets and 113-100 to the Lakers.
The Lakers (15-12) and Nuggets are tied for the No. 6 seed. The Kings (13-15) are 12th in the Western Conference, two games out of the final play-in spot.
The Kings are listing Keegan Murray (left ankle soreness) and Trey Lyles (right calf strain) as questionable for Saturday’s game. The Lakers are listing LeBron James (left foot injury management) and Anthony Davis (left elbow contusion) as questionable. Rui Hachimura (left tibial contusion) is probable.
Here are three things to watch in Saturday’s game.
Playing with purpose
Kings coach Mike Brown felt the Lakers “manhandled” his team Thursday, saying: “At some point, we have to make up our minds and decide who we want to be.”
The Lakers had a 14-4 advantage in offensive rebounds, outscoring the Kings 18-6 in second-chance points. The Kings got outscored 17-0 in points off turnovers in the second half.
The Kings will have to improve in both areas if they want to avoid a three-game home losing streak.
Start fast
The Kings have a bad habit of getting off to slow starts.
They fell behind by 20 in the first quarter and trailed by 23 in the second quarter of Monday’s loss to the Nuggets. They trailed 15-2 in the first quarter of Thursday’s loss to the Lakers.
There have been other examples of this throughout the season. The Kings need to see a sense of urgency and purpose from the starting lineup of De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan, Murray and Domantas Sabonis.
3-point shooting
Sacramento is seventh in the NBA in offensive rating (115.5) and ninth in scoring (116.1 ppg) despite ranking 22nd in 3-point shooting at 34.5%.
The Kings have been shooting the ball better in recent weeks. Over the past 10 games, they are 10th in 3-point shooting at 37.6%. Over the past five games, they are No. 6 at 40.6%.
Lakers at Kings
When: 3 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -6.5
Over/under: 228.5
Injury report
Lakers: PROBABLE — Rui Hachimura (tibia). QUESTIONABLE — Anthony Davis (elbow); LeBron James (foot). OUT — Jaxson Hayes (ankle); Jalen Hood-Schifino (hamstring); Bronny James (G League); Maxwell Lewis (G League); Jarred Vanderbilt (foot); Christian Wood (knee).
Kings: QUESTIONABLE — Trey Lyles (calf); Keegan Murray (ankle). OUT — Devin Carter (shoulder); Isaiah Crawford (G League); Mason Jones (G League).
Upcoming schedule
Dec. 22 vs. Indiana Pacers
Dec. 26 vs. Detroit Pistons
Dec. 28 at Los Angeles Lakers
Dec. 30 vs. Dallas Mavericks
Jan. 1 vs. Philadelphia 76ers
