Wizards at Kings
The Washington Wizards possess the second-worst defense in the NBA and will strive to show improvements when they visit the Sacramento Kings on Friday. Washington is allowing an average of 124.5 points after being routed 144-122 by the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.
The Wizards watched Golden State star Stephen Curry make 11 3-pointers while scoring 51 points and coach Scott Brooks chalked it up as one of those nights in which you tip your hat to a hot player. "Some of the shots that he was making, you don't ever see that," Brooks told reporters afterward. "He is a special player, special scorer, special shooter. He was taking 35-foot shots and it is hard to double-team a guy that is that far out. He makes them like they are layups. You never see anything like it." Sacramento is coming off a 97-92 home win over the Memphis Grizzlies and the defensive performance was welcome after the team allowed an average of 129.5 points over the first four games. "I think we're willing learners," Kings center Willie Cauley-Stein told reporters. "Our ability to learn on the fly is pretty impressive for how young we are."
TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBATV, NBCS Washington, NBCS California (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (1-3): Shooting guard Bradley Beal scored 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting against the Warriors for his fourth straight 20-point outing and is averaging 25 points per game. Beal took an elbow from Golden State's Kevin Durant and encountered some breathing problems but X-rays on his sternum were negative and he insisted he will play on Friday. Star point guard John Wall had just 13 points against the Warriors and is 10-of-31 shooting over the past two games.
ABOUT THE KINGS (2-3): Sacramento's victory over Memphis wasn't particularly impressive and its 17 turnovers included two in the final minute to help Memphis hang around. "We made a lot of mistakes, but we just kept coming and coming and coming," Kings coach Dave Joerger told reporters afterward. "We overcame those mistakes with our effort. They believe that if we play fast we have a chance." Shooting guard Buddy Hield had his best showing of the season with 23 points and seven rebounds, while point guard De'Aaron Fox continued his strong start with 21 points for his third 20-point effort of the campaign.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Wizards won last season's two meetings by an average of 22.5 points and have won the past four meetings.
2. Sacramento G Iman Shumpert (hip) will likely miss his second straight game.
3. Washington C Ian Mahinmi (back) could sit out for the second consecutive contest.