Game #4: Kings @ Hawks Preview

Here I Am... On the Road Again...

What: Kings vs. Atlanta Hawks

When: 4:30 P.M. PT

Where: Philips Arena (Atlanta, GA)

How to Watch: CSN California

How to Listen: KHTK Sports 1140

Kings vs. Hawks history/notes:

•Hawks lead the series 157-153

•Kings only have 18 wins against the Hawks in the Sacramento-era compared to the Hawks' 41 wins

•Kings and Hawks tied 1-1 last season

•The last time the 2 teams met, the Kings beat the Hawks 91-88 in Sacramento

The Kings are coming off a nail biting win against the young Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night at home. The game came down to the wire, but the Kings fought hard and stuck it through for the win. Tonight, they kick off a 5-game road trip in Atlanta, Georgia against the Atlanta Hawks. Let's take a look at how the Hawks and how they match up against the Kings.

Undefeated

The Atlanta Hawks come into tonight's game undefeated. They beat the Wizards in their home opener on Thursday, holding John Wall to just 12 points and on Saturday, they destroyed the Philadelphia 76ers by 32 points. No player on the 76ers scored more than 14 points and the team scored no more than 72 total points. This team is not a team who should be taken lightly with their defense. It'll be important for the Kings to set the tone on offense early tonight. A slow start similar to Saturday's game for the Kings will be too deep of a hole to climb out of this time around. The Atlanta Hawks are a stacked and dangerous team and can probably be considered the biggest sleeper team in the East, maybe even the entire league.

Keep the sprinkler systems ON

Kyle Korver is probably the second best (behind Stephen Curry) three-point shooter in the world right now. If you let Korver catch fire, he can take a you out of the game within a matter of seconds. Don't believe me?

Arron Afflalo is going to have his biggest test of the season so far tonight, he has to stay close and shut Kyle Korver down. But the star power doesn't stop there for the Hawks. They have big men Paul Millsap and Dwight Howard down low. A couple of years ago, the most exciting big man offensive match up in the NBA may have been Dwight vs. Boogie. Nowadays, not so much, but Dwight Howard is still one of the best defensive centers in the league. Cuz and company are going to have to work for every single one of their buckets inside tonight. Paul Millsap will be the one to cause problems in the paint for the Hawks tonight. The 3-time NBA All-Star is quite possibly the most underrated big in the NBA. He's going to do damage if the Kings let him.

Get It Done

Can the Kings get it done on the road against a good ATL team? Game #4 can be considered the biggest test for the Kings so far. A win for the team against the Hawks on the road puts them on a new level as far as I'm concerned. This game is the game where good, playoff-potential teams go and win. Cousins, Gay, and the rest of the team have to bring their A+ game if they want to walk out of the Philips Arena victorious tonight. It won't be an easy one by any means.