Sacramento Kings (4-8) @ Miami Heat (6-4)
Where: AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami
When: 7:30 PM ET
Watch: Fox Sports Sun/League Pass
The Miami Heat are looking for a home win against the Sacramento Kings, Thursday night. Although this is the first of the year’s two-game series between these teams, the Heat won both matchups last season. They have also come out victorious in the last 12 of 13 meetings, and the last time the Kings won at the AmericanAirlines Arena was in 2001.
Matchup To Watch: Dwyane Wade vs. Rajon Rondo
Yes, when one thinks about Sacramento, the first person that comes to mind is probably DeMarcus Cousins. And for good reason. The big man is obviously one of a kind. Recently named Western Conference Player of the Week, Boogie is currently averaging 28.0 points and 11.0 rebounds a game. Stopping him should be a priority, and realistically, will be tough. However, there is also another key piece of the Kings’ puzzle that people should be keeping an eye on.
Rondo has surprised most of the league so far this year; averaging 12.5 points per game, the 29-year-old has clearly gotten his groove back. And as he proved during his glory days with the Boston Celtics, he is still not your ordinary point guard.
Aside from scoring, Rondo can run the heck out of his plays. He is averaging 9.5 assists a game, dishing the right kind of passes out to help his team succeed. And he is strong defensively: totaling 7.1 rebounds on average.
Put him against 33-year-old Wade, who started off the year strong but is seemingly doing the bare minimum lately and well, there certainly could be an issue.
There is no question that Wade is the better shooter. He is clocking in 17.1 points a game currently. And being a veteran, especially a Miami-lifer, he also commands the room and is a strong leader for his team. But it really depends on if he can get going, and involve the rest of people on the floor with him too.
X-Factor: Hassan Whiteside
Because of the problems Cousins could cause, Whiteside really needs to step up. He needs to constantly be on top of the 6-foot-11 center, on both ends of the floor. And he needs to be productive offensively and defensively himself, as well.
Will The Second-String Continue To Be Solid?
The Heat are one of the deepest squads in the league today. Their bench allows head coach Erik Spoelstra to constantly switch things up, and not need to rely on one or two guys to carry the team. From rookie Justise Winslow, to guys like Gerald Green and Tyler Johnson, Miami’s second-string unit is playing at starter levels. And they need to continue to do so in order for the team to be successful.