Things You Already Know:
The longtime Lakers rivals have quietly been one of the NBA’s surprise teams this season, even if their sub par 27-32 record going into tonight’s matchup says otherwise. In a conference stacked 
with ten teams currently sporting records over .500, the Kings have hovered around in their own category for almost the entire season–not quite good enough to a playoff team, but still significantly better than the Timberwolves, Grizzlies and Clippers.
For the second season in a row, guard Kevin Martin has emerged as Sacramento’s go-to scorer, averaging nearly 23 points and five rebounds a night. However, the Kings also rely heavily on Ron Artest’s 20 a night, especially after the Kings traded former Lakers nemesis Mike Bibby to the Hawks a few weeks ago at the close of the NBA trading deadline. While Artest’s name was similarly thrown out in a variety of trade scenariosmost notably in a package that would have sent him to Denverthe defensive ace is still on their roster, even if it is almost certainly his last year with the team.
Things You Might Not Know:
As the lone holdover from the epic Lakers vs. Kings battles at the beginning of the new millennium, Brad Miller is having one of his best statistical seasons to date, averaging 15 points to go along with 10 rebounds per game. His role on offense should increase even more now without Bibby’s smooth stroke from outside.
The Kings’ roster is one of the most balanced in the league, filled with little known players who are starting to make big contributions. In fact, six players average double figures in points for Sacramento, with Beno Udrih, John Salmons and Francisco Garcia joining Martin, Artest and Miller. However, the Kings’ struggles this season have not been due to a lack of offense as the team is scoring 101 points a game. Unfortunately, Sacramento is without any type of enforcer in the paint, resulting in their opponents scoring over 103 points a nightone of the worst figures in the league.
Things You Need To Know:
The Kings have defeated a number of top teams in the league already this season, highlighted by their January/February wins over New Orleans, Utah, Portland, Dallas, Orlando and Detroit. Before tonight’s game, Coach Jackson said he cautioned his team not to take the up-and-coming Kings too lightly, as tonight’s game is only the first of four games remaining this season against the Lakers’ northern rivals. In other words, the Kings are a huge spoiler threat as L.A. looks to secure home court advantage in the playoffs.
Moreover, Sacramento is an impressive 18-10 at home this season, with ARCO Arena still providing a valuable edge for the Kings in spite of their road woes. Last season, Sacramento nearly beat the Lakers at home, falling 132-128 in an exciting overtime affair. In a rematch at STAPLES Center, the Kings managed to steal one from L.A., winning 116-108 in a game played almost exactly a year ago.
