SACRAMENTO -- With just four games remaining in the 2015-16 season, the Sacramento Kings return to their home court on Thursday night looking to avoid a season sweep against the young Minnesota Timberwolves.
Sacramento has played better of late, going 5-5 over their previous ten games despite resting plenty of rotational players. They’ll have to take on the T-Wolves short-handed again with Rajon Rondo (rest), DeMarcus Cousins (rest), Omri Casspi (hamstring) and Marco Belinelli (foot) all sitting out.
Seth Curry continues to excel in his role as a starter, averaging 15.3 points per game on 42 percent shooting 3-point range over his last seven contests. He’s taken advantage of his late season opportunity.
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Minnesota is coming off a shocking 124-117 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. Their young nucleus is showing signs of gelling together as the season comes to a close.
LINE
Kings by 5
WHERE THEY STAND
NBA
Kings: 31-47, third place in Pacific
Timberwolves: 26-52, last place in Northwest
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Willie Cauley-Stein vs. Karl-Anthony Towns-- Let the battle of the rookie Kentucky big men commence. Cauley-Stein will see an increase in play with Cousins sitting out another game. He’ll face a player he knows very well in soon-to-be Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns has played well against Sacramento, but this is the third time he’s faced them this season without Cousins in the mix.
INJURY REPORT
Kings: C DeMarcus Cousins (rest) out, PG Rajon Rondo (rest) out, F Omri Casspi (strained right hamstring) out, SG Marco Belinelli (sore right foot) out.
Timberwolves: F Kevin Garnett (knee) out, C Nikola Pekovic (foot/Achilles) out.
SERIES HISTORY
The Timberwolves hold a 3-0 lead in the season series against the Kings, including a 113-104 win at the Target Center on March 23. Minnesota holds a slight 52-50 lead in the all-time series.
QUOTABLE
“Fans deserve it. They’ve been with us through thick and thin this season. They could have quit on us anytime and they haven’t. You’ve got to love them for it. You’ve got to respect them for it and just give them everything we’ve got.” -Cousins on giving effort down the stretch