National Basketball Association

Kings (2-5) at Raptors (4-1): Preview

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Raptors face the Kings in what should be an easy outing. Sacramento’s long-standing troubles continue this year.

The Toronto Raptors last game before their first road trip of the season matches them against the Sacramento Kings. This is Sac-to’s last game of a lengthy road trip of their own, one which has been a predictable disaster. They are winless in four games so far, including last night’s dismantling in Milwaukee in which they were down by 27 points after 3 quarters.

Sacramento has become Philadelphia West in the sense of how much pain they have put their fans through in recent years. The Kings haven’t made the playoffs in 10 seasons, and there’s no reason to think they will do so in this one.

They have a new coach, Dave Joerger, who supposedly is on better terms with All-Star centre DeMarcus Cousins than his predecessors were. That’s what passes as a reason for optimism in California’s capital these days.

3 Keys to Victory forRaptors

Next: 3 key Kings

3 Kings players to watch

Dec 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) shoots as Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) looks on during first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Conclusion & Final Score

If there ever was a no-excuses game for the Raptors, it’s this one. The Kings are road-weary, banged up and woefully weak at almost every position.

DeMarre Carroll, this outing should be a tonic for your feeble game. Time to offload some of the scoring responsibility from DeRozan.

Raptors 110 – Kings 94