The Sacramento Kings return home after a 1-1 road trip where they’ll face the Dallas Mavericks Tuesday evening at Golden 1 Center. With just five games remaining in the season, the Kings will look to make it two straight.
Buddy Hield continues to shine since coming over from the New Orleans Pelicans in a blockbuster trade deadline deal. The 23-year-old shooting guard was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month on Monday and he is averaging 14.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and shooting 42.5 percent from 3-point range since joining the Kings 20 games ago.
The Mavericks are playing game four of a five-game road trip and they are coming off a nice win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. Harrison Barnes posted 31 points on 9-of-13 shooting in the victory and is now averaging 19.5 points per game in his first season in Dallas. Barnes is questionable for Tuesday's game after playing in the first 76 contests this season for the Mavs.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
OPENING LINE
Kings by 2.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Darren Collison vs. Yogi Ferrell -- Collison loves to play against his former team. The veteran guard is in the final year of his deal with the Kings and he’s played well down the stretch. Ferrell has earned his place in the league with his strong play since joining the Mavericks in late January. Undrafted out of Indiana, the 23-year-old point guard is averaging 11.4 points and 4.1 assist in 29 minutes per night for coach Rick Carlisle.
NBA
WHERE THEY STAND
Kings: 30-47, third place in Pacific
Mavs: 32-44, last place in Southwest
INJURY REPORT
Kings: SG Arron Afflalo (lower back strain) out, C Kosta Koufos (planned rest) out, F Anthony Tolliver (right hip strain) out, SF Rudy Gay (Achilles) out, SG Malachi Richardson (hamstring) out, G Darren Collison (planned rest), G Ty Lawson (planned rest),
Mavs: G Seth Curry (shoulder), F Dirk Nowitzki (Achilles), SG Wes Matthews (planned rest) are out. SF Harrison Barnes (rest) and PG J.J. Barea (rest) are questionable.
SERIES HISTORY
The season series is all tied up at 1-1 between these two clubs. The Mavs hold a 92-65 advantage over the Kings all-time, and a 75-53 lead during the Sacramento-era.
QUOTE
“It feels good. He’s been working hard. He’s trying to learn a new place and how to play in the league and he’s improving. I thought he had won of his best games against Minnesota. He scores baskets and sometimes we think he’s playing great. He played great all the way around in Minnesota.” -Dave Joerger on Buddy Hield getting recognized as Western Conference Rookie of the Month.