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Warriors try to keep it going against the Kings

Dec 19, 2012 - 3:48 PM (Sports Network) - The Golden State Warriors will hit the road once again when they pay a visit to the Sacramento Kings Wednesday night at Sleep Train Arena.

Golden State recently finished a season-long seven-game road trip against Eastern Conference foes with a 6-1 mark. It was the first time in franchise history Golden State has posted six wins on a road trip.

The Warriors returned to Oracle Arena Tuesday night to host the lowly New Orleans Hornets and squeezed out a 103-96 win behind David Lee's 26 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Klay Thompson added 19 points and Jarrett Jack contributed a double-double with 16 points and 10 assists for Golden State.

"We had a lot of confidence tonight, a lot more confidence than in the past," said Lee. "It's no fun when a team's catching up on you like that, but I think we had confidence we could make plays down the stretch."

Golden State improved to 14-0 this season when leading after three quarters and scored 20 points off 15 New Orleans turnovers. They have won 10 of their last 12 games and will put their 10-5 road record on the line Wednesday.

After visiting the Kings, Golden State, which is 10th in the NBA with 99.7 ppg, will head back to Oakland for consecutive matchups with the Charlotte Bobcats and Los Angeles Lakers.

Defense has been an issue this season for the Kings and they will try to stop a five-game slide versus the Pacific Division-rival Warriors.

Sacramento was last in action Monday in a 101-90 setback against the Phoenix Suns in the desert. Jimmer Fredette poured in a career-high 22 points and Aaron Brooks netted 12 for the Kings, who did not have Tyreke Evans (knee) or Marcus Thornton (personal).

Evans is doubtful and Thornton is listed as probable versus the Warriors. The Kings are 2-4 without Evans in the lineup and 0-4 sans Thornton this season.

"I thought this was a night to steal one on the road after a game last night. I thought they did everything the right way up until things started to go haywire in the second half," said Kings head coach Keith Smart.

Sacramento outrebounded the Suns, 51-38, but turned the ball over 18 times. DeMarcus Cousins made just one of his 10 shots from the field and finished with nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds in defeat.

The Kings, who own a 6-7 record as the host, will play their third game in four days. They have been playing well despite the losses and are averaging 15.2 offensive rebounds per game in the last five games. Sacramento is fifth in the NBA with 44.7 ppg in the paint.

Sacramento defeated Golden State, 94-92, in the first matchup of the season on Nov. 5 at Sleep Train Arena. Cousins paced all scorers with 23 points and 15 rebounds for the Kings.

The Warriors have won three of the last five meetings with the Kings.