Clippers vs. Kings preview and game thread: Can LA add to winning streak?

The Clippers have won two in a row and three of their last four games. They travel to Sacramento to face the Kings for the first time all season. The Kings have lost three of their last four games and are 3-7 since beginning the season 2-0.

Game Information:

When: Friday, Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. PT

Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California

How to watch/listen: Fox Sports Prime Ticket, AM 570 Radio

Streaming: fuboTV

Projected Starting Lineups:

Clippers: Reggie Jackson, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Nicolas Batum, Serge Ibaka

Kings: De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Harrison Barnes, Marvin Bagley III, Richaun Holmes

Injuries:

Clippers: Patrick Beverley (personal reasons), Lou Williams (left hip) — OUT

Kings: Buddy Hield (ankle) — PROBABLE; Hassan Whiteside (left hip) — QUESTIONABLE; Jahmi’us Ramsey (groin), DaQuan Jeffries (ankle) — OUT

The Clippers are winners of their last two games, but both contests were definitely closer than they would have liked. On Sunday, LA defeated the Chicago Bulls by three points and then took down the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans by five points on Wednesday night.

Sacramento is one of those teams who just always seems to give the Clippers problems, regardless of records or when the teams meet during the season. The fact that the Kings are struggling the way they are... this means it’ll likely be close.

The good news for the Kings on the season is the fact they’re averaging 114.8 points per game, the eighth most in the league. The problem, though — and a pretty big one at that — is the fact that they’re allowing a league-high 122 points per game. Yeah, that’s a lot. They’ve allowed their last six opponents to score at least 120 points.

There are a lot of great young players on the Kings, such as De’Aaron Fox and rookie Tyrese Hailburton. Drafted in the first round from Iowa State, Hailburton has been one of the best rookies so far through the first few weeks. The point guard is averaging 12.6 points a game and just under six assists. He’s also lighting it up from deep, shooting 52.1 percent from beyond the arc.

This Kings team has the chance on any given night to take down the top teams in the league. They’re a high-scoring team and can stuff the stat sheet if it’s their night. Hopefully the Clippers come out ready to play from the opening tip and can limit Sacramento’s high-powered offense.