Kings’ longest trip begins Wednesday
The Kings will embark on a five-game trip beginning Wednesday in Atlanta. It is their longest trip of the season. The challenging stretch of games begins with a back-to-back against solid playoff contenders Atlanta and Miami.
The trip ends Wednesday, Nov. 25 in Milwaukee. The Kings are 0-2 on the road this season. The Kings were 0-2 last season against all but one of their foes on this trip. They won both of their games against Charlotte.
A look at the five-game trip (records and stats through Sunday):
Game 1: Wed., Nov. 18 – Atlanta Hawks
Time/TV: 5 p.m., CSNCA
Record: 8-4, 4-3 at home
Schedule skinny: Atlanta will play at Brooklyn on Tuesday, so at least the Kings should be a bit more rested than the Hawks for the game.
Last meeting: Kings lost 110-103 last March 16, which was something of an improvement over their 130-105 loss to the Hawks a week earlier in Atlanta.
Players to watch: Paul Millsap leads Atlanta with 17.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. Jeff Teague leads in assists (6.5) and Al Horford in blocked shots (1.8).
Game 2: Thurs., Nov. 19 – Miami Heat
Time/TV: 4:30 p.m., CSNCA
Record: 6-3, 5-1 at home
Schedule skinny: Miami will host Minnesota on Tuesday and has a day to rest for its game against the Kings.
Last meeting: Kings lost 114-109 in overtime last March 7 in the fourth game of an eight-game trip in which the Kings went 2-6.
Players to watch: Chris Bosh leads Miami with 19 points per game. Former King Hassan Whiteside leads in rebounds (11.7) and blocked shots (4.0).
Game 3: Sat., Nov. 21 – Orlando Magic
Time/TV: 2 p.m., CSNCA
Record: 5-6, 3-2 at home
Schedule skinny: Orlando last played Saturday, and will host Minnesota on Wednesday. The Magic will have two more days off, and then meet the Kings, who will be playing their third game in four nights.
Last meeting: Kings lost 119-114 last March 6 despite 39 points from Rudy Gay.
Players to watch: Evan Fournier leads Orlando with 18.8 points per game. Tobias Harris is the leading rebounder (8.5) and Elfrid Payton leads in assists (6.0).
Game 4: Mon. Nov. 23 – Charlotte Hornets
Time/TV: 4 p.m., CSNCA
Record: 5-5, 3-1 at home
Schedule skinny: Charlotte travels to New York on Tuesday, and hosts Brooklyn the next night. Following a Friday home game against Philadelphia, the Hornets will have the weekend to rest and prepare for the Kings.
Last meeting: Kings won 101-91 last March 20 with Gay scoring a game-high 33 points.
Players to watch: Nicolas Batum leads Charlotte with 17.7 points per game. Marvin Williams leads in rebounds (7.8) and blocked shots (1.3). Kemba Walker leads in assists (5.3) and steals (1.6).
Game 5: Wed. Nov. 25 – Milwaukee Bucks
Time/TV: 5 p.m., CSNCA
Record: 5-5, 3-3 at home
Schedule skinny: Milwaukee plays three road games in five nights beginning Tuesday, and will host Detroit two nights before its game against the Kings.
Last meeting: Kings lost 111-103 last Feb. 11 despite a 28-point, 19-rebound effort by DeMarcus Cousins.
Players to watch: Greg Monroe leads Milwaukee with 17.8 points per game, and 10.2 rebounds. Michael Carter-Williams leads in assists (6.2) and steals (1.8).
Compiled by Jeff Caraska
This story was originally published November 16, 2015 at 9:31 PM with the headline "Kings’ longest trip begins Wednesday."