The Miami Heat are quickly looking like one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference as players like Justise Winslow and Hassan Whiteside are proving their worth. They will certainly get a challenge on Thursday as one of the Western Conference's teams on the rise come into town. After breaking their win streak to the Atlanta Hawks, DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo plan to keep momentum alive in South Beach.
The Kings were winners of three straight since a players-only meeting, but they have dropped to 0-3 on the road after falling victim to Paul Millsap and the Atlanta Hawks. It was certainly not for lack of trying. Cousins had yet another big gme as the Center is averaging 33.3 points in his last four games. He put up 24 and 12 rebounds in Atlanta while helping carry the Kings. The center could keep that going against Miami, a team he traditionally plays well against. Cousins is averaging 24.4 points and 13.6 rebounds in his last four games against the Miami Heat.
Rondo could certainly help out as he is fresh off a triple-double. Rondo put up 12 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists against Atlanta which was his third triple doubt in six games. However, he has seven turnovers in each of his last two games which is ultimately what let the Hawks come back on Wednesday.
The Heat's defense will have their work cut out for them on Thursday as all eyes will be on the matchup between Cousins and Whiteside. He is also coming off a triple-double after putting up 22 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks in Tuesday's win over Minnesota. The center is currently averaging a league-high 4.6 blocks per game while putting up 15.3 points and 11.9 rebounds in what is a contract year for him. Whiteside has been a big reason why the Heat are looking good defensively. They held the Timberwolves to just 37.1 percent shooting. The issue is that Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh only combined for 20 points while committing 22 turnovers. They will need to clean that up against the Kings as the team is capable of making them pay for mistakes.