There’s no place like home and the Kings are back after a three game Eastern conference road trip. The Kings have yet to win at the Golden 1 Center this season, and they’ll have a tough go of getting their first one tonight as they face the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder and their new Big 3.

When: Tuesday, November 7th; 7 pm PST

Where: Golden 1 Center; Sacramento, CA

TV: NBATV, NBCSCA

Radio: KHTK Sports 1140 AM

For Your Consideration

The Big Three: Oklahoma City made a couple of big splashes this offseason in trading for Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. This isn’t just Russell Westbrook’s show anymore, even though he’s still very close to averaging a triple-double. Westbrook, George and Anthony are all averaging at least 20 points a game for the Thunder; By comparison, the Kings have had three players score 20 points in a game all season.

Oklahoma City’s supporting cast isn’t as deep as it used to be, but with three legitimate stars it doesn’t necessarily have to be. The Kings are going to be facing at least one All-Star (and usually more) for every minute of the game tonight, unless of course this game goes to garbage time (which it has in each of the Thunder’s four victories).

Offense vs. Defense: The Kings are somehow not the worst offense in the league (that dishonor belongs to the Chicago Bulls) but they are the second worst. They’ll be going up against the second ranked defense in the NBA today, so it could be rough going. Sacramento’s move of Buddy Hield to the bench has yielded some early positive returns as Buddy has shot better since he came in, but someone (and probably multiple people) will have to catch fire for the Kings to have a chance.

Our pal, Skal: Dave Joerger has said he doesn’t particularly like playing Skal in tough matchups against perimeter players, and the Thunder aren’t going to make it an easy matchup here with Carmelo Anthony playing Power Forward. It’s not going to be a good matchup for Zach Randolph either though so why not play Skal against one of the NBA’s premier scorers and see what he can do or learn?

Matchup of the Game

George Hill vs. Russell Westbrook

Hill hasn’t had a good season so far, and tonight he’ll get a very tough matchup against Mr. Triple Double. When Westbrook has it going it’s hard to stop him, but Hill’s job is to make sure he doesn’t get it going early at least. I’d also like to see Hill make Westbrook work on the other end, as the Kings need Hill to get his offense going.

Prediction:

Russell Westbrook accidentally drops his shoes on the way to the locker room and De’Aaron Fox picks them up and puts them on. Suddenly, Fox is imbued with the powers of the Triple Double and leads the Kings to victory while Westbrook is suddenly playing like someone who has never touched a basketball before.

Kings 179, Thunder 23