The Dubs return home 17-0 on Slate Night Saturday to host the Sacramento Kings on Warriors Ground.
BACK TO BACK After earning a road win in Phoenix on Friday, the Warriors host the Sacramento Kings at Oracle Arena on Saturday night in their second game of a back-to-back. This will be the second of four meeting between the two Northern California teams this season, after the Warriors prevailed in their first encounter in Sacramento back on November 7th. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Watch the action on CSN Bay Area, listen to the call on KNBR 680 or the Warriors Mobile App.
LAST TIME OUT The Warriors improved to 17-0 after earning a 135-116 road victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. Stephen Curry led Golden State’s three-point barrage, notching a season-high nine treys on his way to a game-high 41 points. Leandro Barbosa and Klay Thompson also scored in double figures, while Draymond Green recorded a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Next up, the Warriors will return home to take on the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night in the second game of a back-to-back. Full Game Recap
GSW: Kevon Looney (right hip surgery) is out. Team Notes
SAC: DeMarcus Cousins (lower back strain) is doubtful. Team Notes
BACKING UP BARNES Harrison Barnes suffered a sprained left ankle in the third quarter of Friday’s victory, and although the severity is unknown at this time, chances are Barnes will not be suiting up for Saturday’s game, less than 24 hours after suffering the injury. That means the Warriors will not only likely be down a man, but will also need to find a way to fill in for Barnes’ absence, while not disrupting their current flow. Andre Iguodala is a logical candidate to start at small forward, but the reigning NBA Finals MVP has proven to be such a catalyst for the Warriors’ second unit that it’s possible Luke Walton will turn to another player to fill the void in the starting lineup. Regardless of who starts, however, it will take a group effort to replicate Barnes’ contributions, particularly due to the fact that Golden State will be playing its second game in as many nights.
SACRAMENTO SCOUTING REPORT The Warriors won’t be the only ones with tired legs on Saturday night, as the Sacramento Kings also played on Friday, losing a home game to the Minnesota Timberwolves. That defeat dropped the Kings to 6-11 on the season, and next up is a date with the hottest team in professional sports. Despite the Kings’ uninspiring record, they’ve already proven to be a tough matchup for the Warriors this season, as they kept things close until the end of their first encounter, a 103-94 Golden State victory in Sacramento on November 7. As usual, the Kings are led by their dynamic big man DeMarcus Cousins, while Rudy Gay leads the team in scoring, averaging 19.5 points per game. Regardless of the records, these two teams always seem to combine for an entertaining game, and Saturday will likely be no different.
