Warriors at Kings
THE STORY: The Warriors are building momentum in the Western Conference playoff race and are three games out of eighth place after picking up wins over the Mavericks and Clippers. Golden State can win three in a row for only the second time this season with a victory at Sacramento on Tuesday. The Kings watched their shot at three straight wins disappear with a loss to the Hawks on Sunday. Sacramento has won three of its last four meetings with its Pacific Division rival, including a 114-106 overtime victory on Feb. 4.
TV: 10 p.m . ET, CS Bay Area (Warriors), CS Sacramento (Kings)
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (17-21): Known more as a trigger man, Monta Ellis filled in at point guard for the injured Stephen Curry, who managed just over nine minutes on an injured ankle Sunday. Ellis scored 21 points and dished out 11 assists, playing more than 42 minutes in the win. Curry is listed as day-to-day, but Golden State’s schedule could do more harm. It plays back-to-back games Tuesday and Wednesday and another two-game set Friday and Saturday. Curry is averaging 14.7 points.
ABOUT THE KINGS (14-27): Sacramento has struggled with its offense, averaging 95.9 points on 41.9 percent shooting – 29th in the NBA. However, the Kings are shooting 48.9 percent (119 for 243) over their last three games. Coach Keith Smart has tinkered with his offense, using more motion than pick-and-rolls, to create open looks for his shooters. Rookie shooting guard Jimmer Fredette is getting more minutes off the bench, totaling 31 points in his last three games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Warriors are in a stretch of 30 games in 48 nights.
2. Ekpe Udoh seems like the right fit for the Warriors’ starting lineup. He scored 14 points and was a defensive stalwart in the paint against Los Angeles on Sunday.
3. Golden State and Sacramento have split their last 10 meetings and are also locked in the all-time series 182-182.