The Sacramento Kings take the traveling show to Boston for a match with the Celtics. Boston has slipped to No. 2 in the East and No. 3 in the NBA due to a tough slog with Kevin Garnett sitting out some games with a knee injury. But the Celtics are still vastly more talented than the Kings, and should expect to have great advantage in this match.
STARTING LINEUPS & INJURIES
It appears Tyreke Evans will give it a go; if not, I imagine Jermaine Taylor will start over Luther Head, given what Nick Young did to Head on Tuesday. Beno Udrih, Francisco Garcia, Jason Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins are your other Kings' starters; Pooh Jeter, Omri Casspi and Carl Landry are the major players off the bench.
If Garnett remains out -- that's in question -- Glen Davis will start at power forward for Boston. With him would be Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Shaquille O'Neal. That would be three future Hall of Famers and an All-Star starter.
SCOUTING REPORT
Check out HighTops' scouting report for fun and knowledge.
MATCHUP OF THE GAME
Cousins vs. O'Neal. This will be a big test for DMC, and not just because he was born the same year Shaq was makin' All-American teams. O'Neal is one of the beefier bros in the NBA, and Cousins does so much of his good work knocking opponents off-balance with his size before finishing with his famous agility. Shaq will be ready for the moves, because he ain't sweating the bumps. At the other end, Shaq still knows how to draw fouls.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Omri Casspi continues to perform well off the bench; he'll be a huge key in opening up the floor for the Kings, a must with Boston's defensive talent (with or without KG).
DETAILS
4:30 PM Pacific on Comcast and KHTK 1140 AM. Game threads at 4:30 and 6. Let's go Kings.