It's a battle of the bottom dwellers in the NBA tonight at the Power Balance Pavilion. With Cleveland and Sacramento both being in the 15th slot in their respective conferences, there is much reason to believe that this should be a close game. Though, the Cav's have lost 27 of 28 road games, and average allowing 109 opponent points per game in those losses, the Cavs just might have found themselves a manageable opponent as compared to the Oklahoma City Thunder; assuming the Cavs shut down Kings guard Marcus Thorton.
Thorton scored a career high 37 points against Cleveland on February 23rd with the Hornets in a 109-95 Cavalier loss. He then broke that career mark with his 42 point effort in 129-119 win over Golden State on Monday night. Since being dealt to Sacramento, Thorton has averaged 22.2 points per competition at 49% shooting from the floor in ten games. Thorton is averaging 28.5 points in two games against the Wine and Gold.
It is unknown if the Cavs will be getting help in their effort to slow Thorton down, as point guard Baron Davis ‘s status for tonight is unknown. This will mean an increased work load for Ramon Sessions, whose numbers and minutes have decreased with Davis's acquisition. Over the past two weeks, Sessions is averaging about two and a half points fewer, with one and a half fewer free throw attempts. But in Davis ‘s absence, Cleveland will rely on him heavily tonight as the Cavs struggle for win number thirteen.