PREVIEW: Denver Nuggets vs Sacramento Kings

Feb 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets center Timofey Mozgov (left) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Kings won 109-95. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets (1-1) are set to play host to the Sacramento Kings (2-1) tonight at 9 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. MT.

The Nuggets are looking to bounce back from Saturday night’s loss in Oklahoma City that saw the team embarrassed by a Thunder squad that only dressed 8 players, none of whom were named Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook. The loss left a bad taste in the mouths of most Nuggets fans, so it will be interesting to see if the crowd is a little restless in the friendly confines of the Pepsi Center when the team returns to action.

The Kings are coming off a big win after beating the L.A. Clippers 98-92 last night. Led by talented but mercurial big man DeMarcus Cousins and prolific scorer Rudy Gay, the Kings present a big test for the Nuggets. Cousins is averaging 23.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per game so far this season, and Timofey Mozgov and the Nuggets bigs will have their hands full as they try to coral the big fella. Gay comes to town averaging 26.3 points and 8 boards per contest, and presents a huge match-up challenge. It will be interesting to see if head coach Brian Shaw chooses to double-team either player consistently, or if he’ll let his defenders try to lock them down in one-on-one situations.

Personally, I’m hoping to see the Nuggets come out with a fire in their bellies after this weekend’s poor showing against OKC. If the team posts another subpar performance against a Western Conference opponent, you can bet fans and members of the media will begin pressing Shaw and GM Tim Connelly about what their plan is to right the ship.