Kings Look to Start Win Streak vs. Wizards: Game Preview

WASHINGTON – JANUARY 11: Jason Thompson #34 of the Sacramento Kings drives against Andray Blatche #7 of the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center on January 11, 2011 in Washington, DC. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Sacramento Kings prepare to face the Washington Wizards tonight as they look to start a win streak as they prepare for a three game road trip beginning with a back to back against the Memphis Grizzlies then the Charlotte Hornets.

Washington has been playing with a renewed sense of team in their last four games. With the return of John Wall, the Wizards have started to play the up-tempo style of basketball they feel they are capable of. The Kings will need to play tight defense against this young Wizards team, and look to find each other on the offensive end. Isaiah Thomas didn’t play extended minutes late in the fourth quarter of Mondays victory against Cleveland; but the way Thomas ran the offense and got his teammates involved early in the game was a crucial factor in the Kings improved play. Sacramento will need its young point guard to look to help get his teammates going early in tonight’s game if they hope to beat the Wizards.

The Kings have had recent success as they have started to run their offense through Demarcus Cousins, and will need to continue to work through the big man if they want to continue their recent success. Cousins ability to pass out of double and triple teams has become a focal point for the Kings offense.

The Kings beat the Cavaliers Monday night, but allowed the Cavaliers to score 118 points, and have allowed teams to score an average of 117.8 points in the last five games. The Kings need to get back to their defensive ways tonight, as they prepare for their upcoming road trip.

The Kings will hope to see more solid play from Thomas Robinson tonight as they face a talented front court of Nene and Emeka Okafor. Nene and Okafor have not had the type of seasons the Wizards had hoped they would, but both are more than capable of having big games on both ends of the floor. Jason Thompson hasn’t been playing as well as he had in the early parts of the season, and will need to have a better outing tonight.

Probable Starters:

Sacramento Kings

5 John Salmons Forward
34 Jason Thompson Forward
15 DeMarcus Cousins Center
32 Tyreke Evans Guard
22 Isaiah Thomas Guard

Washington Wizards

9 Martell Webster Forward
42 Nene Forward
50 Omeka Okafor Center
12 A.J. Price Guard
3 Bradley Beal Guard