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Kings-Wizards Preview

Dec 21, 2015 - 4:34 AM The Sacramento Kings certainly aren't known for their performance on defense, but they've held opponents under 100 points in a season-high four straight games.

The Washington Wizards can't be as proud of the defensive streak they're currently on.

As they look to continue their surge, the Kings will try to win consecutive road games for the first time in more than a year Monday night against the injury-ravaged Wizards.

Since ranking 29th in the NBA with 108.7 points per game on Dec. 7, Sacramento (11-16) has tightened things up by limiting its last four opponents to 96.8 on 41.3 percent shooting.

The Kings also have won four times during their best five-game stretch of the season. They held Toronto to 37.2 percent shooting - including 8 of 29 from 3-point range - in Sunday's 104-94 win.

Rajon Rondo finished with 19 points and 13 assists, while Rudy Gay contributed 19 and nine rebounds. DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi combined for 30 points and 20 boards.

Gay, a Baltimore native, has totaled 50 points in his last two games versus Washington. Rondo has averaged 15.8 points on 61.5 percent shooting and 12.8 assists over his last four overall.

''I love (Rondo). It's going to be a love, anger, hate, complaining (kind of relationship), but he's a high basketball IQ guy," coach George Karl said. "Right now he's our motor, he makes us go, he makes us go in a good way."

Playing for the third time on a four-game trip, Sacramento hopes to win back-to-back on the road for the first time since Nov. 22 and 25. It's the league's longest stretch in terms of time, but tied for second (45) behind the Los Angeles Lakers (47) in games between consecutive road wins.

The Kings have won five of seven in this series with both losses coming in Washington. Gay had 26 points and Cousins added 20 in a 109-86 home win March 22 in the most recent meeting.

After shooting 52.6 percent and 9 for 21 from 3-point range Sunday, Sacramento could get good looks against a Washington team that has allowed its opponents to reach 100 points in 10 straight games. It the team's longest streak since a 13-game span during the 2006-07 season.

The Wizards have allowed an average of 108.7 points on 49.0 percent shooting - including 42.2 from beyond the arc - during that stretch. They showed improvement Saturday by holding Charlotte to a 41.9 field-goal percentage in a 109-101 home win that snapped a two-game losing streak.

Washington (11-14) has just 10 healthy players with Otto Porter (thigh), Nene (calf), Drew Gooden (calf), Alan Anderson (ankle) and Bradley Beal (leg) sidelined.

''We're right there - even with the injuries,'' coach Randy Wittman said.

John Wall finished with 27 points and 12 assists Saturday despite committing eight turnovers. Garrett Temple had a career-high 21 points and Jared Dudley added a season high-tying 19.

Wall has averaged 26.5 points and 10.8 assists in his last five home games. He had 31 and 12 in a 113-97 win March 14 in the most recent matchup with Sacramento at the Verizon Center.

Washington hasn't won back-to-back games since a three-game run from Nov. 14-21.