League Pass Featured Matchup: Kings vs Clippers (10:30 ET)

Here are five key points to keep in mind before tuning in to this highly anticipated matchup between the Western Conference teams in the last game of the night (10:30 ET, NBA League Pass).

1. Clippers getting hot:

Los Angeles started the season slowly but comes into this matchup having won three straight and seven of their its 10 games overall. It’s been no easy opposition either, with wins against the Orlando Magic and Golden State Warriors in their last two matchups. 

2. Kings taking one step forward, one step back

: Sacramento sits with an 8-7 record, trading wins and losses across their last eight games. They actually haven’t had a losing streak longer than two games or a winning streak longer than three all season. The Kings’ most recent game was a 109-108 defeat against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.

3. Sacramento’s scorching offense against LA’s underrated defense

: The Kings ranked Top 5 in every offensive metric last season and currently rank second in points scored. That offensive firepower will be tested against the Clippers, who are ranked fourth in points allowed and sixth in defensive efficiency. 

4. Round 2 between these two:

These teams met Nov. 8, with Los Angeles prevailing 107-98. That was an outlier compared to recent matchups, as Sacramento had won five of their previous seven meetings. Norman Powell and De’Aaron Fox scored 31 points apiece in that game. 

5. Injury report

. Domantas Sabonis, averaging 20.2 points, 12.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game, has missed the last two games with a back issue. The good news for Sacramento is they’ve had four days off, which could give Sabonis to return Friday. DeMar DeRozan has also missed the last three games for the Kings with a back problem but has been cleared for on-court workouts, making him a candidate to return as well. For the Clippers, Norman Powell, the team’s leading with 23.3 points per game, missed Wednesday’s win due to a hamstring strain.