Kings at Thunder
THE STORY: The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the midst of their worst stretch of the season entering Friday’s home game against the Sacramento Kings. Oklahoma City is just 2-4 over its last six games after losing at home to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. The Thunder possess a one-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs for best record in the Western Conference. Sacramento has lost six consecutive games and 11 of 13.
TV: 8 ET, Comcast SportsNet California (Sacramento), Fox Sports Oklahoma
ABOUT THE KINGS (19-40): Sacramento has a different level of firepower with guard Marcus Thornton back in the lineup. The Kings scored 100 or more points in 10 of 11 games prior to Thornton being sidelined with a calf injury. Sacramento scored 94 or fewer points in three of the four games he missed. Thornton tallied 25 points against the Hornets in his second game back and the Kings reached 100 in his first contest despite losing to the Dallas Mavericks. “Missing four games in this league is like missing an eternity,” said Thornton, who averages a team-best 18.8 points.
ABOUT THE THUNDER (42-16): Oklahoma City’s slump could result in the Thunder being unable to wrest homecourt advantage for the playoffs away from the Eastern Conference-leading Chicago Bulls. Oklahoma City begins a five-game road trip following the Sacramento contest and the most pivotal factor will be ending the recent slide and having momentum entering the playoffs. “You’re going to have to win games in the playoffs, no matter who you play,” sixth man James Harden said. “We’re not worried about that. We just want to close these remaining games out and then go from there.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Sacramento defeated Oklahoma City 106-101 on Feb. 9 to snap a six-game skid against the Thunder.
2. The two squads meet three times in 12 days beginning with Friday’s tilt.
3. Thunder stars Kevin Durant (7 for 21) and Russell Westbrook (3 for 14) combined to make just 10 of 35 shots in the loss to the Clippers.