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Clippers vs. Kings Preview: Jousting for Momentum

LA Clippers Sacramento Kings

The L.A. Clippers (11-10) look to snap their two-game skid tonight at home against the feisty Sacramento Kings (8-14). Read on for our full Clippers vs. Kings game preview.

Clippers vs. Kings Game Information

Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
When: 7:30 p.m. PT
How to Tune in: NBA TV, Bally Sports SoCal, AM 570 KLAC, KTMZ

Projected Starting Lineups:
L.A. Clippers: Reggie Jackson – Eric Bledsoe – Marcus Morris Sr. – Serge Ibaka – Ivica Zubac
Sacramento Kings: De’Aaron Fox – Tyrese Haliburton – Terence Davis – Chimezie Metu – Richaun Holmes

Injury Report:
L.A. Clippers:
 Nicolas Batum – OUT (Health and Safety Protocols), Amir Coffey – OUT (G League – Two-Way), Paul George – OUT (Rest), Kawhi Leonard – OUT (Right Knee; ACL – Injury Recovery), Jason Preston – OUT (Right Foot – Injury Recovery)
Sacramento Kings: Marvin Bagley III – OUT (Non-Covid Illness), Harrison Barnes – OUT (Right Foot Sprain), Maurice Harkless – OUT (Left Knee Soreness), Robert Woodard II – OUT (Left Ankle Soreness)

The Big Picture

The mediocre bloodbath in the 4-10 seeds out west carries on with seemingly no fanbases feeling hot about their team’s performance so far outside of the squads repping Phoenix and Golden State. The Clippers sans Nicolas Batum have been one of the worst culprits of that, whose turnover-heavy offense and poor transition defense have made games difficult to watch as of late. In a similar inexplicable fashion to that of near the beginning of the year when the team was comically cold collectively, the Clippers have now been plagued by a ridiculous amount of out-of-sync lapses (mostly on offense except for the all-around collapse last game). I would say that it can’t possibly get worse than the way the available Clippers are playing, but they actually shot the ball pretty well despite getting torched once again by New Orleans. As to be expected of a Tyronn Lue-led group, and one as naturally quiet as this year’s squad, there hasn’t been much talk about how frustrated the group is at the moment — no “we’re not a great team” quotes or “we gotta do something different” starting-lineup change promises. As for those primarily following along for the ride, however, it’s tough to be loudly optimistic, at least in the short term.

The Antagonist

Speaking of NBA fanbases that have had little to be excited about, the Clippers will be suiting up against their fellow divisional foes in the Sacramento Kings tonight. While the league’s two best teams at the moment are both from the Pacific Division, it’s been far and beyond a different case for the Clippers, Lakers and Kings, who have all been stuck in the mud for the most part thus far. Sacramento comes into Staples tonight less than 24 hours after getting embarrassed at the Golden 1 Center by the LeBron-less Lakers. The Clippers enter tonight 0-2 smack dab in the middle of their second 5-in-7 stretch of the season. As such, it’s safe to say that both teams will have plenty of lost time to make up for in this one.

Clippers vs. Kings Game Notes

Feel free to stick around and chat down below as this article’s comment section will serve as our live game thread tonight against the Sacramento Kings. Sign up for a free account and join the conversation!

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