Kings Try To Get Back On Track Against Nuggets: Game Preview

Dec 12, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Aaron Brooks (3) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks won 98-85. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Kings prepare to take on the Denver Nuggets as they look to snap their current losing streak. The Kings have not played 48 minutes of team basketball in their previous losses and have to play a complete all around game if they hope to stay with the Nuggets tonight.

The Nuggets are coming into Sacramento looking to continue their success against the Kings, as they will try to win the sixth straight against the Kings tonight.

Sacramento will have their hands full as this Nuggets team is a spirited group of talented athletes who play together, and play with heart. The Kings could learn a few things about team basketball from the Nuggets. Although some would argue that Andre Iguoldala or Ty Lawson are premier players in the NBA, the Nuggets dont have a real big time player, and find ways to win with the talent that they have.

The Kings match up well this young Nuggets team; and if they play team basketball, they are certainly capable of beating Denver. The Kings will need big games from both Tyreke Evans and Demarcus Cousins. Both Cousins and Evans must realize that they are capable of being one of the better duo’s in the League. Evans however must look to find his teammates, and create easy shots for Cousins inside. When Evans moves the ball, the team generally plays better. Evans is a more than capable passer, and the Kings need him to remember that.

One of the areas the Kings have been slipping dramatically is their team defense. The Kings began the season with a defense first mentality that has seemed to have gone by the wayside in the last several games. Tyreke Evans has shown this year that he is a very solid defender when he wants to be; but he has gotten away from his tough minded defensive play as of late. If the Kings hope to beat the Nuggets, than Tyreke Evans must look to slow Andre Iguoldala down, nd keep him from establishing any kind of flow or rhythm.

Team basketball and tough defense win games. The Kings would be wise to take note of their once southern California rivals, the Lakers. As Kobe Bryant has had his most efficient year from the field, and is leading the league in scoring, the Lakers are struggling to play competitive basketball as they have not found a way to play team basketball, or compete on the defensive end of the floor. If anything can be taken from their recent on court problems, its that even with two healthy premier NBA players in Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant, even the Lakers cannot win games without playing team basketball. The Kings are far from the Lakers, but they have the players, and the ability to play great team basketball, and it needs to start tonight.

Probable Starters:

Sacramento Kings

13 Tyreke Evans Forward
34 Jason Thompson Forward
15 DeMarcus Cousins Center
5 John Salmons Guard
3 Arron Brooks Guard

Denver Nuggets

35 Kenneth Faried Forward
8 Danilo Gallinari Forward
41 Kosta Koufos Center
3 Ty Lawson Guard
9 Andre Igouldala Guard