Atlanta @ Sacramento preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 15, 2017 ) Sacramento 80, Atlanta 126

The Atlanta Hawks are in the running for worst record in the NBA and the most ping pong balls in the draft lottery, but they are still capable of some brilliant performances. The Hawks will try to secure back-to-back road wins for the first time this season when they visit the Sacramento Kings in the second of a six-game trip on Thursday.

Atlanta point guard Dennis Schroder scored a career-high 41 points in a 99-94 win at the playoff-hopeful Utah Jazz on Tuesday, giving the Hawks their first victory over an opponent with a winning record this month. Schroder, who leads the team in scoring at an average of 19.5 points, went 16-of-28 from the floor and added seven assists in the win. The Kings aren't too far off the pace in the battle for the worst record and dropped their last two games, including a 106-90 loss to the Detroit Pistons in the opener of a six-game homestand on Monday. Sacramento finishes March out at home but will play four of its five games in April on the road.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Southeast (Atlanta), NBCS California (Sacramento)

ABOUT THE HAWKS (21-50): Schroder did not score more than 18 points in any of his previous five games but caught fire in the fourth quarter on Tuesday, pouring in 17 points in the period. Schroder's hot hand helped the team overcome a poor shooting night from small forward Taurean Prince. The 23-year-old Baylor product averaged 30.8 points in four previous games before slumping to 11 points on 3-of-13 shooting, including 0-of-6 from 3-point range, in Tuesday's win.

ABOUT THE KINGS (23-49): Sacramento shooting guard Buddy Hield is not participating in any tank job by his team and scored 20 points on Monday against Detroit to reach the plateau for the fourth straight game -- the longest such streak of his career. Hield is shooting 55.9 percent from the floor over the last four games and is 16-of-24 from 3-point range over the last three contests. Rookie small forward Justin Jackson is raising his level of play as well and is shooting 61.1 percent from the floor over the last five after collecting 15 points on 7-of-9 from the floor in Monday's setback.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Kings SG Vince Carter (24,817) moved past Patrick Ewing and into 22nd place on the all-time scoring list on Monday.

2. Hawks C Dewayne Dedmon recorded his 10th double-double of the season with 15 points and 15 rebounds on Tuesday.

3. Atlanta blasted Sacramento 126-80 at home on Nov. 15 as Schroder led eight players in double figures with 21 points.

PREDICTION: Kings 106, Hawks 102