Preview: Struggling Kings, Pelicans Meet in New Orleans NEW ORLEANS (Interstat) — Two teams near the bottom of the Western Conference standings will look to halt lengthy skids when the Sacramento Kings visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night at Smoothie King Center. The Kings (12-42) enter on an 11-game losing streak, their most recent a 132-126 home loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. Sacramento has not won since Jan. 18. The Pelicans (14-40) have fared only slightly better, having lost eight of their last 10 games. They snapped a four-game slide with a 119-115 road victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves last Friday. A key matchup will feature emerging guards on each side. Sacramento’s Nique Clifford is coming off a career-high 30-point performance against Cleveland, adding four rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 40 minutes. Over his last five games, the second-year guard is averaging 16.2 points. He will be countered by New Orleans’ Saddiq Bey, who is in the midst of a productive stretch. Bey scored 30 points with nine rebounds and five assists in the win over Minnesota and has averaged 24.2 points over his last five contests. For Sacramento, veteran guard Russell Westbrook remains a primary facilitator, posting 21 points and nine assists against Cleveland. Center Dylan Cardwell added a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. New Orleans’ offense runs through forward Zion Williamson, who scored 29 points in Friday’s win. Forward Trey Murphy III has also been a consistent contributor, adding 26 points, six rebounds and five assists against the Timberwolves. Both teams have struggled defensively, ranking near the bottom of the league in defensive rating. Sacramento has allowed 129.2 points per game during its losing streak, while New Orleans has given up 118.1 points per game over its last 10. This is the first of two meetings between the teams this season. They will meet again in Sacramento on March 5. Following Monday’s game, the Kings will travel to face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. The Pelicans will host the Miami Heat that same night.