Kings game plan vs. Miami Heat
KINGS (16-22) vs. HEAT (17-22)
THE PARTICULARS
Where: Sleep Train Arena
Time: 7 p.m. Friday
TV/Radio: CSNCA, 1140 AM
THREE KEYS
1. Protect the ball: The Kings committed 20 turnovers that led to 27 points in their loss to Dallas. Sacramento’s record is 2-8 in games this season where they’ve turned the ball over 20 or more times. Miami is a top-10 team in steals and opponents’ turnovers.
2. Dictate pace: Miami averages the second-fewest fast-break points in the league and is content with a half-court offense working through forward Chris Bosh in the post. If the Kings want to find those easy buckets in transition, they’ll have to force the pace.
3. Team effort: DeMarcus Cousins is averaging 30 points on 49 percent shooting over the past three games. But the Kings can’t rely solely on him, and with Rudy Gay (knee) doubtful and Carl Landry (wrist) and Omri Casspi (knee) both questionable Friday, other players must pick up the slack.
PROJECTED STARTERS
KINGS
13 | Derrick Williams | F |
34 | Jason Thompson | F |
15 | DeMarcus Cousins | C |
23 | Ben McLemore | G |
7 | Darren Collison | G |
HEAT
9 | Luol Deng | F |
1 | Chris Bosh | F |
21 | Hassan Whiteside | C |
15 | Mario Chalmers | G |
13 | Shabazz Napier | G |