(My Sportsbook) - The
Sacramento Kings aim to avoid a new franchise record for futility when they welcome the
Los Angeles Lakers to ARCO Arena on Tuesday.
The Kings, losers of eight straight overall and eight consecutive in Sacramento, have never lost nine straight home games. The franchise record for consecutive losses at home in a season is eight, set during the 1971-72 season when the franchise toiled in Kansas City and matched in ARCO Arena during the 1993-1994 season and 2008-09.
The Kings tied the mark on Saturday when Denver's Chauncey Billups scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Nuggets to an easy 118-85 shellacking of Sacramento.
John Salmons, back from a one-game absence due to a groin injury, logged 22 points for the Kings, who fell to 0-3 on their current four-game homestand and 3-8 overall at ARCO Arena.
Sacramento, which received 10 points and 12 rebounds from Spencer Hawes, shot an ugly 29.3 percent from the floor in the loss.
The Lakers, meanwhile, improved to a gaudy 17-2 on Sunday when Kobe Bryant scored 20 points, more than all five of Milwaukee's starters combined, as Los Angeles blew past the Bucks, 105-92, at the Staples Center.
Derek Fisher added 19 points and five steals for the Lakers, who won for a third straight time and moved to 17-2, equaling the best start to a campaign in team history.
Bryant, who went 6-of-13 from the field, also had a season-high eight assists. Andrew Bynum contributed 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Milwaukee's five starters totaled just 18 points, including two from Michael Redd on 1-of-6 shooting. Malik Allen, Richard Jefferson, Andrew Bogut, Luke Ridnour and Redd combined to go 8-for-28 from the field against a tough Lakers defense.
Sacramento guard Kevin Martin is expected to miss tonight's contest with a sore left ankle, while LA forward Luke Walton is questionable with flu-like symptoms.
The Lakers, who are 7-1 on the road this season, topped the Kings earlier this season in Los Angeles, a 118-108 win, and have won three straight and six of seven against Sacramento.
