Gameday: Slumping Kings missing two starters vs Bucks

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SACRAMENTO -- The Sacramento Kings return to their home court Monday night looking to snap a four-game losing streak. Waiting for the Kings is the talented, but wildly inconsistent Milwaukee Bucks team.

The Kings will have to go to battle shorthanded. All-Star DeMarcus Cousins is out with a left ankle sprain. The Kings are just 1-7 this season without Cousins, but that win came against the Bucks in Milwaukee in November.

Starting shooting guard Ben McLemore is also out for Monday's contest. He is dealing with a right wrist injury that will cost him his first game as a pro.

Milwaukee has lost two straight and four of their last five. They are long and athletic, but they struggle at the defensive end where they rank 29th in league in defensive rating.

LINE:
Kings by 4

MATCHUP TO WATCH:
Rudy Gay vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo -- Gay will have his hands full with one of the most athletics players in the league. The “Greek Freak” is coming off a 26-point, six assist showing against the Miami Heat and the 21-year-old is blossoming in his third season in the league. Gay scored 36 points on 13-of-21 shooting the last time these two team met.

WHERE THEY STAND:
Kings: 20-27, third place in Pacific

Bucks: 20-29, last place in Central

INJURY REPORT:
Kings: G Marco Belinelli (gastroenteritis) is listed as probable; C DeMarcus Cousins (left ankle sprain), G Ben McLemore (sprained right wrist), F Eric Moreland (foot surgery), F Duje Dukan (lower leg) are listed as out.  

Bucks: F John Henson (back) questionable, G O.J. Mayo (hamstring) out, G Greivis Vasquez (ankle) out.

SERIES HISTORY
Sacramento won the first of two meetings between these team’s by the final of 129-118 on Nov. 25. The Kings hold a 31-28 advantage over the Bucks during the Sacramento-era, but trail the all-time series between the teams 81-58.

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