NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings host the Toronto Raptors
After opening up their season with a three-game road trip, the Sacramento Kings (2-1) will make their home debut on Monday 1 November when the Toronto Raptors (1-1) visit the ARCO Arena
at 10 p.m. Eastern.
The Kings headed into the NBA season feeling good about themselves with Tyreke Evans entering his second season after an impressive rookie campaign. Another reason for the Kings to be
hopeful has been the early play of rookie power forward DeMarcus Cousins, the fifth overall pick in last summer’s NBA Draft.
The past two seasons for the Kings have been disappointing, with the team winning a combined 42 games and finishing last in the Pacific Division both times. But Evans, the reigning Rookie
of the Year and fourth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, has brought some hope to Sacramento. In his rookie season, Evans averaged 20.1 points, 5.8 assists, and 5.3 rebounds. This season, Evans is doing more of the same. In his past two games, he has scored
39 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and posted 13 assists.
And Cousins has been showing his potential as of late. He posted the first double-double of his career in a 107-104 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday 30 October, scoring 14
points to go along with 10 rebounds.
"He made some big plays," Sacramento coach Paul Westphal said of Cousins after Saturday’s game. "I love his spirit and his enthusiasm and his skill."
After splitting their first two games, the Kings came back from a 16-point deficit against the Cavaliers thanks to 21 points from Evans and 12 points and 11 assists from Beno Udrih. Apart
from blowing a six-point lead with just over two minutes remaining against the New Jersey Nets on Friday 29 October, Westphal likes what he’s seen from his team so far.
"It was a good road trip for us," said Westphal, whose team plays its next four at home. "We can look back and say if we would have held that lead (Friday), we could have been 3-0, but
... to get two of those games I feel good about it."
While Sacramento comes home for awhile, the Raptors are hitting the road, with tonight’s game the first of a four-game road trip for the team. After losing a close game to the New York
Knicks 98-93 on Wednesday 27 October, Toronto bounced back with a 101-81 drubbing of the Cleveland Cavaliers two days later. The Raptors, led by 20 points from Andrea Bargnani and 19 from Linas Kleiza, shot 47.6 per cent against the Cavaliers, outrebounding
them 46-33.
After losing Chris Bosh to the Miami Heat over the off-season, the Raptors desperately needed someone to clean up the boards in his absence. So far, that player seems to be Reggie Evans,
who has pulled down 30 total rebounds in the Raptors’ first two games.
"I think our defense kind of sustained throughout the whole game and it really showed and carried on to the offense," Evans said after their win over the Cavaliers. "We got some easy transition
buckets. It was a good feeling, the defensive end really won the game for us."
The Raptors have a difficult start to the month of November, with eight of their first 10 games on the road. After playing the Kings, the Raptors will visit the Utah Jazz, the Los Angeles
Lakers, and the Portland Trailblazers.
Prediction:
Look for the Kings to take a 92-87 victory away from the Raptors.
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