Two of the most improved teams in the NBA meet Tuesday in
California's capital.
Rookie star Tyreke Evans hopes to propel the Kings to their third straight win
as Sacramento plays host to Oklahoma City at ARCO Arena.
Sacramento kicked off a four-game homestand on a positive note Sunday when
Evans finished with 23 points and eight rebounds to lead the Kings to a
120-107 win over Pacific Division-rival Golden State.
Beno Udrih added 20 points and six assists for the Kings, who have won three
of four since beginning the season with three consecutive losses.
Jason Thompson added 19 points and 10 boards, while Donte Greene scored a
career-high 17 off the bench as Sacramento continues to toil without dynamic
guard Kevin Martin, who is out for up to two months with a fractured left
wrist.
"Hard work pays off," Evans said. "I'm staying after practice -- an extra 50
shots. I'm just working on my game, and it's paying off right now. I can see
it."
The Kings will finish their residency with games against Houston and Chicago.
The Thunder, meanwhile, are coming off one their most impressive wins since
relocating to Oklahoma City from Seattle. Kevin Durant finished with 28 points
on Sunday to lead the Thunder to a dominating 102-74 win over the reigning
Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic at Ford Center.
Russell Westbrook added 17 points, 10 assists and five rebounds for the
Thunder, who snapped a three-game slide. Thabo Sefolosha added 13 points and
10 rebounds, while Nenad Krstic scored 14 points.
The victory was the Oklahoma City franchise's first over Orlando since January
11, 2006, when the team was still based in the Pacific Northwest.
"All things were clicking for us, especially on the defensive end," Durant
said. "We've got to build on that."
The Thunder dropped a tough one at ARCO Arena last season, 99-98, but were
without Durant. They beat the Kings, 102-89, on October 28 this season at the
Ford Center.
Overall, these two teams have split the last eight meetings in the series.
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