Gameday: Kings won't have services of hottest guard against 76ers

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After dropping their first two games of the road trip, the Sacramento Kings swing by the City of Brotherly Love Tuesday evening to face the upstart 76ers. Once again, they’ll be shorthanded.

Sacramento looked like they might give Toronto a run for their money through the first half on Sunday, but they struggled to compete in the third and fourth quarters. Following the intermission, the Kings were outscored 47-30 by the Raptors and shot just 30.8 percent form the floor.

The Sixers boast one of the most talented young rosters in the league, but they’ve dropped six of their last seven games coming into the night.

BETTING LINE:
76ers by 8.5

WHERE THEY STAND:
Kings: 9-19, fifth place in Pacific

76ers: 14-15, fourth place in Atlantic

INJURY REPORT:
Kings: PG De’Aaron Fox (right quad contusion) probable, PG George Hill (illness) out, PF Harry Giles (bilateral knee rehab) out until January at the earliest.

76ers: C Joel Embiid (back) out. PG Markelle Fultz (shoulder) out, G/F Furkan Korkmaz (foot) out, F Trevor Booker (ankle) out.

THREE THINGS TO WATCH:
Replacing Hill -- George Hill has been on a nice little streak over the last few games, but the veteran won’t suit up against Philly. De’Aaron Fox is probable to return, but Dave Joerger needs someone else to step up if they hope to contain J.J. Redick. Bogdan Bogdanovic will likely get the start, but Buddy Hield will play big minutes as well.  

The Ben Simmons Conundrum -- The Kings don’t have a single player on the roster that is a natural matchup for Ben Simmons. He’ll likely start at the point guard position where he holds a seven-inch advantage over Fox. He’s not a great shooter, but the versatile rookie can fill up a stat sheet.

Sticking Covington -- Robert Covington used to be just a defensive juggernaut, but he’s becoming so much more. He’s shooting 41.2 percent from long range and he’s posting a career-best 14.9 points per game. Like almost every other player on the Sixers roster, Covington is a matchup nightmare.

SERIES HISTORY:
The Kings took an early 1-0 lead in the season series with a 109-108 win on Nov. 9. The Sixers hold a slim 32-31 lead during the Sacramento-era and Philadelphia holds a 163-125 advantage all-time.

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