Game Preview: Raptors At Kings
The Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings have had a rough go without their leading scorers.
While Toronto's DeMar DeRozan isn't expected to return anytime soon, Sacramento is hoping to get DeMarcus Cousins back Tuesday night.
The visiting Raptors (13-4) are coming off their first set of back-to-back defeats after falling 129-122 in overtime at the Lakers on Sunday. Kyle Lowry had 29 points and Terrence Ross scored a season-high 20, but DeRozan's absence was too much to overcome.
DeRozan, who suffered a torn tendon in his left groin in Friday's 106-102 loss to Dallas, had missed just six games over the previous four seasons. He's averaging 19.4 points.
"It's tough when you lose your All-Star guard, but injuries are a big part of the NBA. So you've got to deal with it and adapt," said Dwane Casey, who was named Eastern Conference coach of the month for November. "We can't sit around and feel sorry for ourselves. We've got to maintain a work-ethic mentality and find a way to fill that big void. ... This is going to be an ongoing process."
Greivis Vasquez scored 19 points while starting in place of DeRozan and Lou Williams added 19 off the bench. Toronto outscored the Lakers 58-34 in the paint but allowed them to shoot 49.0 percent.
"At the end of the day, it's about winning. We want to do it for (DeRozan). We already miss him and we want him to be back soon," Vasquez said after Monday's practice. "We're just trying to get out of this slump and get a win."
The Kings (9-8) are on the verge of a season-worst fourth consecutive loss after falling 97-85 to Memphis on Sunday. Reggie Evans had 17 points and 20 rebounds as Sacramento was held to under 90 points for the second time in three games.
Cousins, who's missed the last two with an illness, is listed as questionable for Tuesday. He was averaging 27.3 points on 54.9 percent shooting and 15.7 rebounds over a three-game stretch before getting sick.
"He's feeling better," coach Mike Malone said of Cousins, averaging what would be career bests of 23.5 points and 12.6 rebounds. "He's still running a couple more tests to see where he is at. Optimistically, he'll be back with us (Tuesday) with a chance to play (Tuesday) night."
The Kings dropped to 4-3 at home after shooting 1 of 11 from 3-point range and committing 23 turnovers against the Grizzlies.
"At some point we have to find a way to stop beating ourselves," Malone said.
Sacramento had taken four straight and six of seven from Toronto before suffering a 99-87 road loss March 7. Cousins is averaging 26.3 points and 12.5 boards in the last four meetings.
The Raptors own a 2-15 record in Sacramento and have dropped their last four visits while allowing 110.0 points per game, but they're averaging an NBA-best 113.0 on the road.
Rudy Gay is averaging 22.3 points at home while shooting 50.0 percent, up from his road mark of 42.2. He totaled 39 points and shot 40.0 percent (12 of 30) in last season's two-game series against the Raptors after they traded him to Sacramento on Dec. 9.
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