The Kings look for back-to-back wins tonight against the Phoenix Suns at Power Balance Pavilion.
Sacramento will be without two key players in Marcus Thornton (bruised left calf) and John Salmons (sore right hip).
The Kings have not announced who will start for Thornton.
But the Kings can still beat the Suns, in part because of their own injury concerns, which are among the five things to look for tonight.
1. No Grant Hill
Hill did a good job defending Tyreke Evans when the Suns visited Power Balance Feb. 11. Evans missed shot 8-for-9 for four points to go with six rebounds, five assists and a team-high four turnovers. Hill is out with a meniscus tear in his right knee, so Evans should look to attack.
2. Shooting better
The Kings have yet to shoot 40 percent in two games against Phoenix, shooing 35.1 percent and 38.4 percent, respectively.
3. Run, run, run
The Kings have scored 84 and 88 points, respectively, in both losses to the Suns this season. Sacramento is not at its best in slow-down game so the more the Kings can run, the better chance they have of scoring.
4. Bigs play big
Jason Thomspon will start tonight, unlike the last time these teams played and Keith Smart started Donte Greene to deal with mobile power forward Channing Frye. The Kings need Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins to control the paint and dominate the rebounding battle.
5. Stay aware
When Steve Nash probes the defense, the Kings cannot get sucked into chasing him and leaving their defensive assignments. If they do, Nash will pick them apart. Nash has 22 assists in two games against the Kings.
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