The Sacramento Kings are taking a trip to southern California to take on the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Dec. 28 at 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. PT).
The Kings just nabbed just their eighth win of the season on Dec. 27, getting the best of the Dallas Mavericks, 113-107 behind 21 points and nine assists from 18-year veteran Russell Westbrook. Keon Ellis matched him with 21 points.
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Sacramento (8-23) remains near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, currently in 14th, a game in front of the last-place New Orleans Pelicans.
The Lakers (19-10) come into the game following their loss on Christmas Day to the Houston Rockets, 119-96.
Here’s what you need to know about Sunday’s matchup between the Lakers and Kings.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors’ Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors’ Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Washington Wizards’ Cam Whitmore dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets at Capital One Arena.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets’ Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 25: The Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns’ Grayson Allen at Ball Arena.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 24: The Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. dunks against the Miami Heat at FedExForum.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 24: The Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo dunks over the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. at FedExForum.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 22: The New York Knicks’ OG Anunoby goes up for a reverse dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.
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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents
Oct. 22: The Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers at Delta Center.
Sacramento Kings: Light the beam for 8th time this season, defeat Mavs
Kings keys to victory
Frustrate their stars: Sacramento has played scrappy, stifling defense. It’s what helped them in their win against Dallas and a big win against Houston on Dec. 21. Keep that same pressure on Lakers stars Luka Dončić and LeBron James and make them uncomfortable.
Lean on youth for energy: In the second night of a back-to-back, the Kings should rely on their rookies and young guys to provide energy early and often throughout the game. Look for guys like Keon Ellis, Maxime Raynaud, Dylan Cardwell and Nique Clifford to spark fire.
Defend without fouling: As energetic and up-tempo as the Kings are, it’s important to defend without fouling as the Lakers are third in the league in free throws made and second in free throws attempted.
Homecoming, revenge tour: It’s a homecoming for Los Angeles natives Russell Westbrook and DeMar DeRozan. There’s nothing like home cooking. Plus, whenever Westbrook plays his former team or teammates, it feels personal.
Kings injury report
Here’s the injury report for the Sacramento Kings: Keegan Murray (mild calf strain), Zach LaVine (left ankle sprain), Drew Eubanks (left thumb avulsion fracture) and Domantas Sabonis (left knee soreness) are all out versus the Lakers.
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Devin Carter, who has a left ankle sprain, is expected to return against the Lakers. He missed the Dec. 27 game against the Mavericks.
How to watch Lakers vs. Kings: TV channel, live stream
Start time: 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. PT)
Location: Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, California)
TV Channel: NBC Sports Bay Area; Spectrum SportsNet
Lakers vs. Kings odds
Odds according to BetMGM as of Sunday morning.
Spread: Lakers by 12.5 (-105)
Over/Under: 233.5 (O/U -105)
Kings next five games
Dec. 30 at Los Angeles Clippers
Jan. 1 vs. Boston Celtics
Jan. 4 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lakers vs Kings preview: Game time, odds, where to watch NBA