OFFICIAL GAMETHREAD: Sacramento Kings @ Orlando Magic

[Janders 102]

Time: Friday Dec. 21, 7PM EST

 

Sacramento Kings Probable Starters:

PG: Isaiah Thomas

SG: Ben McLemore

SF: Rudy Gay

PF: Jason Thompson

C: DeMarcus Cousins

[Janders 102]

Versus YOUR ORLANDO MAGIC

Probable Starters:

PG: Jameer Nelson

SG: Victor Oladipo

SF: Arron Afflalo

PF: Glen Davis

C: Nikola Vučević

 

Game Preview (written by Nicolino Dibenedetto, nba.com - Link):

The Orlando Magic are expected to have their top scorer back.

They certainly could have used him their last time out.

With Arron Afflalo likely back, the Magic will try to bounce back from their worst shooting performance of the season and send the Sacramento Kings to a fifth straight road loss Saturday night.

Afflalo leads Orlando (8-18) with 21.6 points per game, and that production was sorely missed in Wednesday's 86-82 loss to Western Conference-worst Utah. With the guard out due to an illness, the Magic shot a season-low 32.6 percent from the floor in their third straight home loss and sixth in seven games.

Afflalo feels he should be healthy enough to return.

"There was a little something going on with my throat or something. I'm fine," he said. "I'll be OK."

Orlando surely hopes so, as it could use some offensive help since it's averaging 91.5 points while dropping nine of 11 games, after scoring 100.0 in the first 15.

"We gotta get those stops in play with a little more pace," Afflalo said of solving the recent scoring slump. "We can't count on half-court execution for a full 48 minutes, so the more we can get the proper stops and get out there and get some transition 3s and some fast-break layups. Hopefully, generate some fouls. Whatever it takes to get us back up in the hundreds."

Improvement from Victor Oladipo would also help. The rookie guard went 1 for 12 with a season-low three points Wednesday, two days after going 3 for 12 to finish with eight points in an 83-82 win at Chicago.

Oladipo, the second overall pick in the June draft, isn't dwelling on his recent performances.

"You gotta let it go, especially in this league," he said. "If you let it build up and let it stay with you, you still not going to play well the next game. That game has come and gone, so I'm not really worried about it."

The Magic lost both meetings with Sacramento (7-18) last season, including a 125-101 defeat at home Feb. 27.

The Kings, though, are 2-8 on the road, losing four straight while surrendering 114.3 points per game and 53.5 percent shooting - 50.6 from beyond the arc.

Those struggles continued Friday with a 122-103 loss at Miami, which connected on 61.4 percent of its field goals.

The Kings shot 58.1 percent - and still lost by 19 points. Shooting that well and losing by that much simply doesn't happen in the NBA, or at least, hadn't happened since April 5, 1986, when Phoenix shot 61.1 percent and lost to Sacramento 119-100.

"Every day in practice, every shootaround, every team meeting, every film session, all we talk about is our defense and obviously the message isn't getting through," coach Michael Malone said. "They're not accepting it. They're not willing to accept it. I'm not sure what the problem is, but I have to find five guys (Saturday) night starting in Orlando who are willing to compete on the defensive end of the floor."

DeMarcus Cousins is doing his part offensively, averaging 28.3 points, 10.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists while hitting 62.5 percent from the floor during this four-game road trip. The center scored 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting against the Heat.

He's totaled 22 points in two visits to Orlando.

[Janders 102]

I'm back in town and will be going to the Magic game for the first and unfortunately probably the last time this season, looking forward to a good time. Let's go Magic!

[Mauro Pedrosa 1,033]

Nice thread my man! Hope you enjoy the game. I'll be in the chatroom

 

This is my first day with my PS4 so I'm super excited!

 

GO MAGIC

[Janders 102]

UPDATE: Jameer is sick and is a gametime decision, E'twuann Moore has a leg injury and is out. Look for Oladipo and Afflalo to potentially slide to the 1&2 spots with likely Tobias Harris at SF and for Ronnie Price/Doron Lamb to get plenty of burn tonight.

[Jay Magic 1,251]

UPDATE: Jameer is sick and is a gametime decision, E'twuann Moore has a leg injury and is out. Look for Oladipo and Afflalo to potentially slide to the 1&2 spots with likely Tobias Harris at SF and for Ronnie Price/Doron Lamb to get plenty of burn tonight.

 

Magic alter starting lineup tonight vs, Kings, Jameer Nelson, Afflalo, Tobias, Baby and Nik.

 

Victor Oladipo back to reserve role.

[Miller4Prez66 545]

Harris is hard to watch tonight.

[Soul Bro 1,423]

I want to see Harkless as a stretch PF in the Horry mold. I think he could do it with his length and frame.

[Soul Bro 1,423]

Harris is hard to watch tonight.

He must have read your message

 

My goodness!!!

[Miller4Prez66 545]

Missed layups, missed free throws and letting free throw shooters get their own rebounds. Tank is strong right now. It feels a little weird to be happy about this, but I am.

[Soul Bro 1,423]

I love Harris' game. I'm very excited to have him.

[Soul Bro 1,423]

The TANK is on baby!!!