Preseason Game Preview: San Antonio at Sacramento Kings

The Spurs’ preseason gets underway in the first of two meetings this week between these teams.

It’s time, Spurs fans. The 2017-18 NBA preseason is here as the Sacramento Kings host your San Antonio Spurs.

Sacramento made some significant leadership acquisitions in free agency by signing George Hill, Zach Randolph, and Vince Carter to help shape their squad of emerging talent, which includes Buddy Hield, Skal Labissiere and lottery pick De’Aaron Fox.

We won’t see Kawhi Leonard suiting up before the regular-season opener on October 18th, but it’s always fun when Manu Ginobili suits up against fellow 40-year-old Carter. Tonight’s game should also offer a glimpse into the four future regular season match-ups to come, as the Kings put the DeMarcus Cousins era firmly in their rear-view mirror.

San Antonio Spurs (0-0) at Sacramento Kings (0-0)

October 2, 2017 | 9:00pm CDT

Watch: ¯_(ツ)_/¯

Spurs injuries: Kawhi Leonard (right quad), Tony Parker (left quad)

Kings injuries: none

Immediate homecoming

Rudy Gay gets no honeymoon period before returning to face the team he spent the past four season leading. Expect some jeers from the hometown fans. As it stands, Gay has more to prove to himself than he does to his former team’s fans.

George Hill is always a welcome competitor

There were rumors brewing that Hill was in talks to return to the Alamo City. Whether or not they held water remains to be aired. Either way, Hill always puts his best foot forward when playing in front of the coach who called him his “favorite player”. Expect any talk that Hill was “too old” or “not worth the money” to be disproved as he leads the revamped Kings against one of the most consistent teams in the NBA.

Dejounte in real time

Although it has not been confirmed that Dejounte Murray will start in place of Parker, it should be noted he played with the Black squad at Saturday’s open scrimmage. The line-up featured the Seattle native with Green, Aldridge, Gasol, and Anderson (in place of Leonard). Filling the shoes of Tony Parker is an immense undertaking, a task that Murray has shown to be up. If his talent can match his ambition, the Spurs are in for an exciting season.


Game prediction: Spurs by 5.

For the Kings fan’s perspective, visit Sactown Royalty.

As always Tony must dominate Fisher.

PtR’s Gamethread will be up this evening for those who want to chat through the game. You can also follow along with the action through PtR’s Twitter feed.

Source: Pounding The Rock

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