Lakers at Kings
THE STORY: Monday’s opener for the Sacramento Kings features the anticipated debut of rookie Jimmer Fredette, the long-range shooting specialist acquired in a three-team deal with Charlotte and Milwaukee on draft day. That the Kings still call Sacramento home is a minor miracle. The Kings were all but headed to join the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers in Southern California as a deal looked set for the team to relocate to Anaheim before the end of the 2010-11 season. An 11th hour plea from Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former NBA star, saved the team. But they could still be moved if a long-term solution to their arena is not found. The Lakers opened at home on Christmas with a tough 88-87 loss to Chicago as Kobe Bryant scored 28 points playing with a torn right wrist ligament, but turned the ball over eight times. His final turnover led to Derrick Rose’s go-ahead jumper with 4.8 seconds remaining.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, KCAL (Los Angeles), CS California (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE LAKERS (0-1): After opening the season on Christmas Day at Staples Center, the Lakers certainly get no breaks traveling to Sacramento for the second of three games on consecutive nights. The Lakers were outscored 17-5 in the final 3½ minutes against Chicago, which rallied from an 11-point deficit. Bryant’s strong outing came up short when Luol Deng blocked his shot at the buzzer.
ABOUT THE KINGS (0-0): The Kings, who finished 24-58 last season, are thrilled to have forward-center Chuck Hayes serving as captain. Hayes failed a physical Dec. 15 because of a heart abnormality and his contract was voided. He was cleared by doctors at the Cleveland Clinic and signed a four-year, $22 million deal Friday. Hayes faces Pau Gasol in the opener and Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge on the road Tuesday, but is taking it all in stride. “After what I’ve been through, I wouldn’t mind taking Gasol and Aldridge as Christmas presents,” Hayes said.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The last time the Kings opened at home was Oct. 29, 2003 when they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in LeBron James’ NBA debut 106-92.
2. This is the first time the Lakers will be the opponent in an opener for Sacramento.
3. The Lakers have won 15 of the last 18 meetings against the Kings, including nine of 10.