New York Knicks vs. Sacramento Kings: TV Info, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
The star-studded New York Knicks (1-2) will continue their Western Conference road trip on New Year's Eve in Sacramento when they take on the Kings (1-2).
Both teams have lost two in a row after opening the new season with wins at home.
Carmelo Anthony leads the Knicks in scoring with 25.7 points per game, while Kings' shooting guard Marcus Thornton is already averaging more than 20 per game.
Where: Power Balance Pavilion, Sacramento, CA
When: Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, 8:00 PM ET
Watch: CSNS or stream live with NBA League Pass
Listen: Sacramento: KHTK 1140 The Fan New York: WEPN 1050 ESPN Radio
Betting Line
Knicks -1.5 over Kings, according to covers.com.
The Knicks have to be favored in this matchup. They've yet to get things going in two road games against the Warriors and Lakers, and the Kings provide a porous defense for New York to exploit.
Over/Under: 196, according to covers.com. The Knicks' problem has been scoring thus far this season, considering they are holding opponents to around 98 points per game on average. The Kings have been scoring in the low 90s this season, so unless something out of the ordinary happens, under is the way to go.
Key Injuries
NY: Baron Davis (back), out and expected to return in February, according to ESPN.com.
Amar'e Stoudemire (ankle), day-to-day and will sit this one out, according to ESPN.com.
Mike Bibby (back), day-to-day is expected to play, according to ESPN.com.
SAC: No noteworthy injuries for the Kings
What's At Stake?
A solid push in the standings can be made by either team on Saturday night in Sacramento. The Knicks are surprisingly atop the Atlantic Division after a slow start from Boston and can separate themselves from the pack with their first road win of the season. Meanwhile, the Kings can put an end to their own two-game losing streak with a home win and pull within a half game of the Pacific Division-leading Warriors.
In a shortened, 66-game season, a fast start is critical, and both teams are in danger of becoming irrelevant early.
What They're Saying
Knicks superstar forward Amar'e Stoudemire is expected to sit out with an ankle sprain, which will make scoring points that much more difficult for New York Saturday night.
With Kings' guard Tyreke Evans already off to a slow start, averaging just 12.2 PPG on 42.9 percent shooting from the field, a Twitter fan points out Evans' historical struggles against New York.
Knicks Player to Watch
Carmelo Anthony: With Amar'e Stoudemire missing the game, the scoring load will fall heavily on the shoulders of Knicks' leading scorer Carmelo Anthony. The good news for Knicks fans is that Melo is averaging 25.7 PPG this season while shooting a solid 47.7 percent from the field.
Kings Player to Watch
Marcus Thornton: Kings' guard Marcus Thornton is turning into a stud this season with Sacramento. He's already leading the team with 20.3 PPG on a blistering 48.9 percent field goal percentage. Thornton is lights out from beyond the arc as well, where he's shooting 50 percent on the year and nailing three per game.
Key Matchup
DeMarcus Cousins vs. Tyson Chandler: The former Dallas Maverick Tyson Chandler is struggling to rebound the ball this season, averaging just 5.7 per game in 31 minutes per game. Meanwhile, second-year center DeMarcus Cousins leads the Kings on the glass, reeling in 11.3 boards per night to start the season.
Success in the rebounding department will be vital to determining a winner in Sacramento on Saturday night, making this matchup key.
Prediction
With Amar'e Stoudemire's 17.3 PPG out tonight with a bum ankle, the Kings' suspect defense should catch a much-needed break. Anthony is more than capable of taking over a regular season NBA game, but the lack of efficiency on the glass for New York will cost them a winnable game on the road.
Kings 97, Knicks 91
