Kings vs. Nets Preview: Let's make it two in a row

The Sacramento Kings broke their losing streak with a big win against the Pistons on Wednesday, and now they have a chance to get some momentum against a Brooklyn Nets team that ranks among the bottom in the NBA.  The Nets are probably thinking the same thing though, and they are coming off an even more impressive road win against the Houston Rockets.  Today's action tips off at 7:00 pm on CSN California and on KHTK 1140.

3 Questions

1. Will the Kings come out with energy?  The Nets are not a sexy opponent, but the Kings shouldn't care at this point.  This is a game that the team has to win on their home floor.  These are two teams who aren't as bad as their record, both hungry for wins.  The Kings have to come out and establish a presence early on, just like they did against Detroit.

2. Will Rajon Rondo get a break?  The Kings' point guard has played 48 minutes in two straight games thanks to injuries to Darren Collison and Seth Curry.  Collison remains out but Curry was upgraded to questionable yesterday and will probably play barring a setback today.  It's such a shame that all this potential playing time for Seth Curry came and he had to be injured at the exact same time as Collison.  Hopefully that changes tonight and Curry can come in and spell Rondo for some time and also show that he can provide a spark for this team.

3. Should Omri Casspi shoot more threes?  Ever since Karl took over the Kings, Omri Casspi has been an absolute sharpshooter from beyond the arc.  He shot 46.2% from three in 30 games under Karl last year, and he is currently shooting 57.1% from beyond the arc.  However he's only shooting 2.3 attempts a game (very similar to his rate last year).  Casspi likes to pick his spots, but he's become such a good shooter (it's gone on too long to be a fluke). I feel like he should be gunning it a little bit more.

MATCHUP OF THE GAME

DeMarcus Cousins vs. Brook Lopez

Brook Lopez is one of the more talented offensive centers in the league.  He's leading the Nets in scoring, rebounding and blocks.  Still, he's a guy that DeMarcus Cousins should be able to keep in check and alternately, shouldn't be able to stop Cousins on the other end.  Cousins needs to be a bully down low, looking to draw fouls and get to the line, because Brooklyn's big man depth is laughable.  If Lopez goes out due to foul trouble, they'll have to go with guys like Bargnani or Thomas Robinson to guard Boogie, and that's a recipe for absolute disaster for Brooklyn.

99 PROBLEMS AND THE NETS ARE LIKE 98 OF THEM

PREDICTION

Kings 106, Nets 87 as Vlade Divac takes his revenge on Andrea Bargnani for not joining the Kings by coming out of retirement, suiting up and dropping 10 points, 9 boards and 5 assists like it's 2004.  Bargnani hits one of his seven three point attempts.