The Kings have received lots of negative feedback for dealing DeMarcus Cousins. It's obvious the Kings are playing for the future despite trailing the Nuggets by just 1 1/2 games for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

However, the Kings should be especially fired-up for this matchup - their first game minus Cousins. The remaining Kings have pride and want to prove themselves. The Kings are 5-2 SU and ATS in their last seven games. They've defeated Denver four consecutive times.

The Nuggets have a lot of youth. They're not accustomed to be favored to take care of business on the road laying these many points. Focus could be an issue for the Nuggets here, while the Kings have something to prove. Sacramento figures to be the more motivated team.

Denver also has a number of injured players due back who could be rusty, including streak shooter Danilo Gallnari and Kenneth Faried.