Kings at Timberwolves
The Sacramento Kings try to take the next step toward their first playoff berth since 2005-06 when they conclude a four-game road trip Monday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Sacramento began the trek by playing the top three teams in the conference, losing by two points at Denver on Wednesday and Golden State on Thursday before upending Oklahoma City 119-116 on Saturday.
The Kings are attempting to fast-track their climb with speed as the Warriors' Draymond Green told reporters it is "probably the fastest team in NBA history'' while Sacramento coach Dave Joerger said to the media: “We’re going to play fast. That’s what we do. We’re successful if we can get out and run.” The Kings are one game behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West while Minnesota is three games behind Sacramento after a 140-128 loss at Milwaukee on Saturday. The Timberwolves have been without All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns (23.1 points, 12.0 rebounds per game), who missed his second straight contest Saturday (concussion protocol) after a car accident Thursday. "We're missing him a lot," Minnesota's Andrew Wiggins told reporters about Towns, who had played in all 303 games of his career prior to Friday's 115-104 victory at New York. "He's our rim protector. He challenges a lot of shots. He changes the game in a lot of different ways. We're definitely missing him."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Sacramento), FS North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE KINGS (31-28): Buddy Hield (team-high 20.7 points per game) scored 34 on Saturday - the fifth time this season he's scored more than 30 - and is averaging 23.9 points in February. Rookie forward Marvin Bagley III (13.7 points, 7.1 rebounds) scored 19 and had 10 boards versus Oklahoma City after netting a career-high 28 points with 14 rebounds in Thursday's 125-123 setback at Golden State. De'Aaron Fox, who's totaled 37 points and 17 assists in his last two contests, is one of three league players averaging at least 17.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.7 steals, joining Houston's James Harden and Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (28-31): Wiggins (17.9 points, 4.9 rebounds) did not play the final two games prior to the All-Star Game because of illness but has recorded 35 points and 15 rebounds in two contests since the break. Derrick Rose (18.4 points) averaged 21.5 in the last two games while 0-for-20 from 3-point range over his past nine contests. Tyus Jones contributed nine points, nine assists and four steals in 28 minutes Saturday in his second game since missing 13 with an ankle injury.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Minnesota C Gorgui Dieng (5.6 points, 13.4 minutes), who is third in club history with 435 blocks, missed the last two games because of personal reasons.
2. Hield is fourth in the league in made 3-pointers at 3.39 per game, which would break the club record of 3.0 set in 2003-04 by Sacramento assistant general manager Peja Stojakovic - a member of team's front office for the past four seasons.
3. The home team has won all three meetings this season with Towns averaging 24.0 points and 14.7 rebounds.