Sacramento welcomes one of the East's bests and an aspiring NBA Finals contender. Here's what the look for.
The Sacramento Kings launched a seven-game home stretch back on Jan. 11. Returning to the Golden 1 Center proved to be beneficial out the gate -- by walloping the Houston Rockets.
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Now the New York Knicks arrive as the third foe of this January home stand. And the Knicks present a far different animal on the floor.
NYK has established itself as a rising Eastern Conference contender the last two seasons. Only this time a familiar face is leading the charge.
Here are three things to look forward to involving the Kings and Knicks set for Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
1 -- An emotional return
Mike Brown returns to the place where he became beloved...but faces the team that ran him off.
Brown went an impressive 107-88 overall record including producing a long-awaited playoff run. His first Kings team went 48-34 and introduced lighting the beam after every Kings home win.
Season two witnessed a 46-36 mark, but the Kings missed the postseason. Brown eventually got fired after a 13-18 start.
This Kings roster looks vastly different than the one he helped put together. But the Kings may end up doing something to honor the franchise's last successful head coach.
2 -- Maxime Raynaud faces a big test down low
The Kings rookie has become a solid breakout performer -- going from second round find to starter. Raynaud shows zero fear in attacking the glass.
But one of his biggest tests awaits in the form of the league's top rebounder.
Karl Anthony-Towns leads the east in rebounds. He's also shown some steady improvement as a defender, despite the constant accusations of having slow feet.
Raynaud can still test him on the defensive end. But he'll be in a huge battle for the ball against "KAT."
3 -- Perhaps Brown adds a Kings player soon
The Knicks are the subject of big trade rumblings across the league.
Given the familiarity of some Kings players, Brown could be secretly scouting Sacramento talent ahead of the February trade deadline.
Keon Ellis is already one potential option. Although NYK can get even bolder and take a swing at DeMar DeRozan, handing the Knicks a needed forward scoring presence. And this puts DeRozan on an aspiring contender.
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