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Preview: Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings

Lakers power forward Pau Gasol tries to block a shot by Kings center DeMarcus Cousins during a preseason game in Las Vegas.
(Julie Jacobson / Associated Press)
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The Lakers (6-7) can climb back to .500 with a win Sunday night at Staples Center over the Sacramento Kings (4-8).

The Kings are coming of a close loss Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles against the Clippers.

The return of Kobe Bryant will have to wait. The Lakers’ All-Star guard still isn’t ready to return from his Achilles’ tendon injury, and the Lakers will also be without Steve Nash and Chris Kaman, both with back issues.

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Key matchup

Center DeMarcus Cousins is doing his best to carry the Kings, averaging 21.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks a game.

Cousins is big and athletic, a difficult matchup for almost any team.

Jordan Hill may be the best defensive option for the Lakers on Cousins. Hill has been a force on the boards for the Lakers, giving the team a boost since joining the starting lineup over the last five games.

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Cousins is more skilled than Hill, but Hill has helped the Lakers win three of their last five games.

X-factor

Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas is having a tremendous season, averaging 18.7 points and 4.7 assists a game.

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He’s a threat off the dribble as a scorer and playmaker, while shooting 42.9% from three-point range.

When Thomas gets going offensively, he can be hard to stop.

The Lakers need a strong defensive effort from both Steve Blake and Jordan Farmar.

Against the Golden State Warriors on Friday, Blake and Farmar combined for 28 points on 9-of-15 shooting and had 13 assists.

Outlook

The Kings always seem to play the Lakers well.

While Sacramento doesn’t have a winning record and isn’t likely to make the playoffs this season, they are a threat to steal one at Staples Center on Sunday.

If the Lakers can slow down Cousins and Thomas, they’ll have a chance to win their third game in a row.

Given that the team has had a difficult schedule to start the season, all without Kobe Bryant (and most of it without Steve Nash), a .500 record through 14 games would be an accomplishment.

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The Kings won’t make that easy — but it’s a game the Lakers should win.

ALSO:

Lakers turn back depleted Warriors, 102-95

Harris, Kelly put up big numbers in D-Fenders’ opening-night loss

It’d be ‘very hard’ for Kobe Bryant to play on trip, Mike D’Antoni says

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.

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