Bulls at Kings
THE STORY: The Chicago Bulls will attempt to rebound from a humbling loss to the Golden State Warriors when they continue a season-opening four-game road trip against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. The Bulls committed 20 turnovers and trailed by double digits most of the night before losing 99-91 to Golden State on Monday. The game was a sloppy follow-up to the Christmas Day victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Reigning MVP Derrick Rose recorded just 13 points on 4-of-17 shooting. “I guess we weren’t too focused,” Rose said. “I don’t know what it was. We just don’t want one of these nights again anytime soon. Keep it moving, but try to remember it.” Sacramento knows the feeling after dropping a 101-79 decision to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. The Kings collected just 33 second-half points while going 9-for-38 from the field. Sacramento defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in its opener and is beginning a three-game homestand that includes contests against the New York Knicks on Saturday and New Orleans Hornets on Sunday.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet (Chicago), Comcast SportsNet (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE BULLS (1-1): Richard Hamilton’s first two games as Chicago’s starting shooting guard weren’t overly productive as he averaged just 8.0 points and shot 40.0 percent from the field. The 13-year veteran isn’t going to average 20 points per game any longer, but also wants to prove that last season’s performance with the Detroit Pistons wasn’t a sign that he’d fading fast. Hamilton averaged 14.1 points last season, easily his lowest since his rookie campaign. Ronnie Brewer is Hamilton’s backup.
ABOUT THE KINGS (1-1): Sacramento is stronger in the backcourt than in the frontcourt and the Kings were exposed badly up front during Tuesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers. The Portland duo of Gerald Wallace (25 points) and LaMarcus Aldridge (24 points) combined to make 18-of-26 shots and Sacramento faces another challenge in Chicago’s Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer. The Kings have started John Salmons and Chuck Hayes in both games with J.J. Hickson first off the bench.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Chicago has won three straight games in Sacramento. The Kings’ last home win took place during the 2007-08 season.
2. Second-year C DeMarcus Cousins recorded double-doubles in each of Sacramento’s first two games after having 26 such outings as a rookie.
3. Rose is averaging just 17 points in six career games against the Kings.