Programming note: Lakers-Kings coverage starts tonight at 6:30pm with Kings Pregame Live on CSN California, and streaming live right here (territory restrictions apply).
SACRAMENTO – After losing the season opener Wednesday night to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Sacramento Kings face a familiar foe in the Los Angeles Lakers Friday evening at Sleep Train Arena.
DeMarcus Cousins set the pace for the Kings against the Clippers in the opener, finishing with 32 points and 13 rebounds in the loss. On the downside, the Kings All-Star big turned the ball over eight times and fouled out in the final minutes of the game. Sacramento will need another big effort from their starting center against the Lakers, minus the turnovers.
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The Lakers fell 112-111 in overtime to the Minnesota Timberwolves in their opener. Future Hall of Fame guard Kobe Bryant shot just 8-for-24 from the field on his way to a team-high 24 points. Newcomer Lou Williams added 21 points off the Lakers bench in the loss.
OPENING LINE
Kings by 7
KEY MATCHUPS
NBA
According to coach George Karl, rookie Willie Cauley-Stein will see an increase in minutes and may start alongside Cousins. If he gets the nod, expect a spirited matchup between he and second-year big Julius Randle who finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds in the Lakers' opener.
Darren Collison has done an exceptional job of running the second unit through preseason and in the opener for Sacramento. He will run up against Williams in an intriguing battle of the super-subs.
The Lakers will start with Roy Hibbert on Cousins, but they will need to throw the kitchen sink at the 25-year-old center if they hope to slow him.
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 0-1, last place in Pacific
Lakers: 0-1, last place in Pacific
INJURY REPORT
Kings: No injuries reported
Lakers: Kobe Bryant missed shootaround (sore throat) and is questionable. F Larry Nance Jr. (right knee) is also questionable.
SERIES HISTORY
The Kings have won three straight against the rival Lakers, including back-to-back wins to conclude the 2014-15 season. Los Angeles holds a monstrous 268-147 series lead over the Kings all-time and a 90-38 lead in the Sacramento-era (1985-present). There was a time when this was the best rivalry in the game. Now both teams are trying to climb out of the lottery.
QUOTABLE
“If you can play that bad in a game and still have a chance to win against a very good team that’s been together for a while, that says a lot about you.” -Darren Collison on where the Kings are at mentally after their opening night loss to the Clippers.