Preview: Pelicans Visit Kings in Matchup of Struggling Teams SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Interstat) — Two teams near the bottom of the NBA standings will meet Thursday when the New Orleans Pelicans visit the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. The Pelicans (19-43) have lost three of their last four, including a 137-117 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. The Kings (14-48) have dropped eight of their last 10, most recently falling 128-104 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. New Orleans guard Jeremiah Fears enters on a strong individual run, averaging 18.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists over his last five games. He scored 28 points in 26 minutes against the Clippers. In the last meeting with Sacramento on Feb. 9, Fears had 20 points, four rebounds and three assists in a 120-94 Pelicans victory. Sacramento will look for a response from guard Nique Clifford, who is coming off a 26-point, seven-rebound effort in 42 minutes against the Lakers. Clifford averaged 14.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists in February. For New Orleans, Derik Queen is averaging 19.0 points and 5.0 rebounds over his last two games, while Dejounte Murray added 17 points and five assists against the Clippers. Sacramento center Maxime Raynaud is averaging a double-double (16.0 points, 13.0 rebounds) over his last two contests. Both teams have struggled defensively, ranking in the bottom five of the league in defensive rating. The Pelicans have allowed an average of 124.3 points over their last three games, while the Kings have surrendered 122.8 per game in their last five. The game is the second of two meetings this season. Following this contest, New Orleans begins a back-to-back at Phoenix on Friday. Sacramento opens a three-game homestand, hosting Chicago on Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST.