Kings at Grizzlies
THE STORY: A tough slate awaits the NBA’s youngest team as Sacramento plays four of its next five games on the road. The Kings do have momentum on their side, however, fresh off a rare road win over the San Antonio Spurs. The Kings will see if they can get it done again away from home when they visit the streaking Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night. "We can make plays, as long as we keep our composure, play together, play for each other," Kings center DeMarcus Cousins said. "The thing about this team is we're very talented, we have all the pieces. We have to keep growing each game." The Grizzlies are trying to win six straight games for the first time since 2006.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Comcast Sports Sacramento, SportSouth
ABOUT THE KINGS (6-10): Sacramento won for just the second time on the road in Friday’s 88-86 triumph over the Spurs, who were 9-0 at home coming in. Tyreke Evans hit the go-ahead bucket and finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds to help his team improve to 4-5 with Keith Smart at the helm. Cousins added 17 points, 13 rebounds and four steals. The second-year big man has been a monster on the boards, averaging 16.5 rebounds in the Kings’ past four wins.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (8-6): Defense has been the key to the Grizzlies’ recent run, with the team holding opponents to 87.2 ppg in the five games. That includes a 98-81 win over Detroit in which Memphis forced 25 turnovers. They have at least 17 turnovers in the five wins. Forward Rudy Gay is averaging 21.8 points and 56 percent shooting his last five outings. Point guard Mike Conley is averaging 9.6 assists his last three.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Grizzlies have dominated the series, winning the past three matchups by an average of 16.7 points. They have taken six of seven from the Kings overall.
2. As Evans go, so do the Kings. They are just 1-8 when he is held below 20 points.