Kings vs. Raptors: How to watch, 3 things to look for in preseason opener
The Kings will take on the Toronto Raptors in their preseason opener Wednesday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
Fans will get their first look at the team that is taking shape under Kings great Doug Christie, a former player who is entering his first season as head coach after taking over on an interim basis in December.
This is the first of four preseason games for the Kings. They will visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, play host to the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 15 and visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 17.
The game against the Clippers will be broadcast by NBC Sports California. The other preseason games will not be televised, but fans can watch on Kings.com or listen on Sactown Sports 1140.
Here are three things to watch in Wednesday’s game.
Starters
Christie will tinker with his rotation leading up to the regular season opener against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 22, but his starting lineup appears to be set with Dennis Schroder, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis.
Christie said all five starters will play against the Raptors. Christie was vague when asked if his starters will play limited minutes so he can go deeper into his bench, but he noted that the Kings only have four preseason games to ramp up for the regular season.
Full-court pressure
Christie has talked a lot about “picking up 94 feet” on defense, meaning he wants his team to apply full-court pressure to opposing ballhandlers. Fans will see the Kings do this following made baskets, made free throws and other situations in which the opponent inbounds the ball from the baseline.
Christie wants all of his players to apply pressure when their man brings the ball up the floor, but much of this responsibility will fall on Dennis Schroder. The 32-year-old point guard, who was acquired in a sign-and-trade deal with the Detroit Pistons, is a pesky defender knows how to irritate the opposition.
Rookie debut
Rookie first-round draft pick Nique Clifford will make his preseason debut following an impressive performance at the Las Vegas Summer League and a strong showing in training camp.
Clifford is a 6-foot-5 guard who came out of Colorado as the 24th pick in June’s NBA draft. He is expected to play a key role off the bench as a versatile player who can log minutes at point guard, shooting guard and small forward.
Raptors at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: Kings.com
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: TBD
Over/under: TBD
Injury report: Not available.
