VLADE INFO

If you purchased tickets through our StR ticket offer, you should have received an e-mail with instructions for your group photo-op with Vlade Divac.  Instructions should also have been e-mailed to you about picking up your free Kings T-Shirt if you were one of the first 200 to purchase.  Make sure to be at the arena by 6:00 p.m. or sooner in order to make sure you can participate.  If you didn't receive an e-mail with instructions and think you should have, e-mail Michael Payton, our excellent ticket rep, at mpeyton@kings.com.

MATCHUP OF THE GAME

Cousins has shown a lot of respect for Tim Duncan in the past, both in game and in the media.  For good reason too, as Duncan remains one of the best bigs in the league even now.  Athletically, he's lost a step, but he's as sound fundamentally as ever.  The Kings need Cousins to be at the top of his game and to outplay Duncan if they want a chance to win.  Cousins didn't play in the last matchup against the Spurs, and the Kings put a scare into San Antonio then.  With Cousins, will they be able to stop the Spurs streak? Probably not, but they'll have a better chance than without him.

3 THINGS

3.  I've always wondered with San Antonio.  Is the reason they keep finding gems because they're incredibly good at finding talent, or is it because they're system and the structure around them allows for optimal development?  I lean towards the latter, as they've had the same coach, the same front office and the same main stars for over a decade now, which makes it easier to bring guys and encourage them to play a role.  It's a cycle the repeats itself too, as those young guys become part of the system in place. It's quite amazing what they've managed to do over there.

PRE-GAME HAIKU

PREDICTION

Kings 108, Spurs 115 as the Kings play a surprisingly tough game but lose in the final quarter. Pretty much like every other time we play the Spurs.