Miami @ Sacramento preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 29, 2018 ) Sacramento 123, Miami 113

The Sacramento Kings are gearing up for a playoff run with the acquisition of Harrison Barnes as they enter Friday's home game against the Miami Heat. The Kings acquired the forward from the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night in exchange for forwards Justin Jackson and Zach Randolph.

Sacramento is aiming to halt a 12-season playoff drought and sees Barnes as a necessary piece to fit with the young backcourt of Buddy Hield and De'Aaron Fox. "He's a player who can score and plays a position we need and somebody we're looking to have a long future together," Kings general manager Vlade Divac told reporters of Barnes during a press conference. Miami acquired forward Ryan Anderson from the Phoenix Suns for guards Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington. The 30-year-old Anderson was averaging just 3.7 points for the Suns but he can provide some long-range shooting for the Heat as he has made more than 100 3-point baskets in seven different seasons.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Miami), NBCS California (Sacramento)

ABOUT THE HEAT (25-27): The trade of Johnson and Ellington eliminates the logjam in the backcourt so reserves Dwyane Wade and Dion Waiters could see an increase in minutes. Starting shooting guard Josh Richardson averages 34.6 minutes while averaging a team-leading 17.3 points and point guard Goran Dragic (14 games played) is expected to return from knee surgery after the All-Star break. Center Hassan Whiteside delivered a superb performance with 28 points on 11-of-12 shooting to go with 11 rebounds and four blocked shots in Tuesday's 118-108 road win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

ABOUT THE KINGS (28-26): Sacramento made two other trades prior to the deadline, landing guard Alec Burks from the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team deal in which guard Iman Shumpert went to the Houston Rockets, and a minor move in which they acquired Caleb Swanigan from the Portland Trail Blazers for fellow power forward Skal Labissiere. Burks will give the Kings a little more firepower off the bench for a squad that is already receiving good contributions from guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (14.8 average) and rookie forward Marvin Bagley III (13.1). Sacramento is 3-1 during a six-game homestand but was lambasted 127-101 by the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Kings won the past three meetings, including a 123-113 win in Miami on Oct. 29.

2. Heat SF Justise Winslow is 16-of-48 shooting over the past four games.

3. Sacramento waived little-used SG Ben McLemore.

PREDICTION: Kings 107, Heat 103