Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings live stream: Watch NBA live on TV, preview, start time
The Los Angeles Lakers (10-16) will begin their seven-game road trip with a clash against DeMarcus Cousins and the Sacramento Kings (8-15) at the Golden 1 Center on Monday evening.
The Lakers, on a six-game losing streak, had defeated the Kings on Nov. 10 during the first of four regular season meetings between the pacific division rivals. After that game, the Lakers were off to a 5-4 start to the season under new coach Luke Walton. However, since that victory, the Purple & Gold has had to deal with a series of injuries to crucial players -- which has resulted in L.A. losing eight of their last ten games.
Lakers have D'Angelo Russell, Nick Young back
On Sunday, D'Angelo Russell and Nick Young returned after an injury layoff during the team's 118-112 defeat to the New York Knicks at home. Seeing as coach Walton has stressed the importance of both players being fully fit for the forthcoming road trip, the duo were on a minutes restriction against the Knicks.
The Kings, on the other hand, are fresh off two fourth-quarter meltdowns against the Utah Jazz and the Knicks. During the 104-84 loss in Utah, the Kings were out-scored 26-8 in the final quarter -- their lowest scoring quarter of the 2016-17 season -- as centre DeMarcus Cousins scored a season-low 16 points.
Even though Sacramento has, in spurts, shown potential of a playoff team, they have failed to knock off oppositions in close games and are destined to miss the postseason for the eleventh straight time.
After Friday's loss, Cousins sounded off on his teammates and felt the players had to show more hustle in fourth quarters. "It's the same mistakes that's been hurting us most of the year. Defensive breakdowns, second-chance points, same things," the all-star centre said, via ESPN.
Coach Dave Joerger, Sacramento's sixth coach since the team drafted Cousins in 2010, has urged the rest of the team to support the talented big man. "DeMarcus (Cousins) looks like he's carrying a 50-pound weight around. He looks exhausted."
For the Lakers, the onus is on sixth man Lou Williams to once again carry the offense. Williams has averaged 32.2 points per game during his last five games -- but is hoping to see those points translate to wins. "Usually when you score a ton of points, you're going to get some wins out of it. We haven't had that. ... Losing is losing," a frustrated Williams said after the loss to Phoenix on Friday.
The Los Angeles Lakers will conclude their seven-game road trip on Dec. 23 before returning home to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Christmas day.
Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings: Live streaming info and score updates
Watch the game live on NBA League Pass (globally), Time Warner Sports Net or CSN-CA depending on your area in the United States. The game starts at 10.30 PM Eastern Standard Time (7.30 PM PT, 1.30 PM AEDT on Tuesday)
