Game Preview: Nuggets @ Kings
The Sacramento Kings haven't reached the postseason in nine years thanks in large part to their struggles defensively.
So far, they haven't played much like those previous clubs as they stand on the verge of their best start in 13 years.
The surprising Kings hope to continue their strong start on the defensive end Wednesday night when they try to sweep a home-and-home set with the visiting Denver Nuggets.
Sacramento (3-1) has finished in the bottom third of the league in defensive field-goal percentage every season since it last reached the playoffs in 2006. The Kings ranked 20th with a 46.1 mark - and 29th at 38.0 percent from 3-point range - during their 28-win season in '13-14.
Things have been much different early on this season. Sacramento has been one of the league's stingiest clubs, ranking in the NBA's top five by allowing opponents to shoot 40.1 percent.
The Kings held Denver (1-2) to 38.7 percent shooting - including 5 of 24 from 3-point range - in Monday's physical 110-105 road win. They also outscored the Nuggets 21-11 off turnovers despite having three more than Denver.
Sacramento has matched last season's high with its third straight victory, including impressive wins over Portland and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Kings haven't opened 4-1 since '01-02 - when they last reached the conference finals.
"This is definitely a confidence booster going forward," said Darren Collison, who finished with 21 points - including three free throws in the final 16.2 seconds.
Collison hit 11 of 13 foul shots overall in a game that featured 63 fouls. The Kings made 40 of 47 from the free-throw line and rank among the league leaders in both made foul shots (31.0) and attempts (37.5) per game.
"They shot too many free throws," Denver forward Darrell Arthur said. "We have to do a better job without fouling."
Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins sank 7 of 9 from the line, scoring 19 to go along with a season-low five rebounds. He had 30 points and 14 boards, including the winning putback, in a 90-88 win in his last home meeting Oct. 30, 2013, before missing a later loss with an ankle injury.
That snapped a nine-game losing streak in the series, and the Kings have won the last three meetings that Cousins has played.
Denver's Wilson Chandler and Ty Lawson combined for 47 points with Cousins out in a 125-117 win at Sacramento on Jan. 26. Chandler missed 10 of 15 shots - including seven of eight from 3 - and Lawson went 1 for 8 in Monday's defeat.
The Nuggets hope to end their struggles from beyond the arc, where they rank near the bottom of the league at 24.3 percent.
Danilo Gallinari is still working his way back from a knee injury that sidelined him for 18 months. He played just 14 minutes Monday, missing all six of his attempts from the field.
Gallinari has averaged 21.3 points while shooting 65.6 percent from the floor in his last three games in Sacramento.
"Got to get Gallo going, try to find a rhythm for him, so he can see the ball go through the basket," coach Brian Shaw said. "Get him going and get his confidence up."
Kenneth Faried has totaled 17 points and 16 rebounds after finishing with 22 and 17 in an opening home win over Detroit.
The Nuggets will try to keep Sacramento from winning four in a row for the first time since March 2011.