The Sacramento Kings look to re-establish some semblance of a home court advantage as the Phoenix Suns visit ARCO Arena Sunday night. The Kings won their last home game in thrilling fashion, as Tyreke Evans split the universe apart and sunk O.J. Mayo's battleship on Wednesday.
STARTING LINEUPS & INJURIES
It looks like the Kings will stick with a starting line-up of Beno Udrih, Tyreke Evans, Francisco Garcia, Jason Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins for a second consecutive game. Cousins started over Samuel Dalembert in the second half of the Memphis game and at the start of the Denver loss Saturday. Thompson has played well since returning from a hand laceration. He scored 17 points on 8-9 shooting at Denver.
The Suns' current starting line-up features Steve Nash, Vince Carter, Grant Hill, Mickael Pietrus and Robin Lopez. Pietrus replaced Channing Frye in the starting five last Thursday. Frye, Hakim Warrick, Josh Childress, Jared Dudley and Goran Dragic are the main Phoenix bros off the bench.
SCOUTING REPORT
Please check out HighTops' scouting report.
The Suns' defense is as bad as you think. Of course, so is the Kings' offense ...
MATCHUP OF THE GAME
Cousins vs. Lopez. Young Boogie has been excellent in the paint on offense of late, much as he was very early in the season. As he continues to score well, the Kings should continue to look for him early. They did it well on Saturday.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Evans looked alright Saturday, similar to how he looked for the first 47 minutes, 58.5 seconds of the Memphis game. Not R.O.Y. Reke, but much better than Bulk of '10-11 Reke. To compete in these games, the Kings need something closer to R.O.Y. Reke.
BEER PAIRING OF CHOICE
I'm probably just going to drink Celebration again, because, you know, I don't usually change beers on a daily basis. But in honor of the likely speed of this game, and to honor the Southwest, let's recommend Dos Equis Amber. Smooth, swift and cheap. Kind of like Hakim Warrick.
DETAILS
This is a 6 PM start. Game threads at 6 and 7:30. Let's go Kings, let's go.