Programming note: Thunder-Kings coverage starts tonight at 7 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet California (territorial restrictions apply) and streaming live right here
UPDATE (Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.): Omri Casspi, who is dealing with a left knee bone contusion, has been ruled out for the Kings' home game against the Thunder.
The Kings (11-13) entertain Oklahoma City on Tuesday under interim coach Tyrone Corbin in the third game of a five-game homestand.
DeMarcus Cousins participated in his first full practice on Monday, but will miss his tenth straight game due to viral meningitis.
The Kings are 2-7 without Cousins on the floor.
The Thunder are on a six-game winning streak while the Kings attempt to snap a three-game skid.
BETTING LINE
OKC by 7.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Darren Collison vs. Russell Westbrook -- Westbrook is averaging 29 points and 7 assists over his last four games. Collison must minimize the potential devastation against a fellow former UCLA Bruin.
HERENDA’S AGENDA
1. Focus -- “It's a business” is a familiar refrain and tipoff is the time to prove the Kings are impervious to the Malone firing and its potential distraction.
2. Defense -- OKC has scored 70 points in the first half in two consecutive games. Enough said.
3. Wayward Westbrook -- The Kings cannot allow Westbrook to run amok in transition, get into the paint and take over the game.
INJURY UPDATE
Kings -- C DeMarcus Cousins (viral meningitis) is out and F Omri Casspi (knee contusion) is doubtful.
Thunder -- None to report.
SERIES HISTORY
This is the second of four meetings this season between Sacramento and Oklahoma City. The Thunder won the first matchup 101-93 at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Nov. 9.
The Kings have lost eleven straight overall games to the Thunder including the last four meetings at Sleep Train Arena.
Oklahoma City leads the overall series 136-81 including 79-45 in the Sacramento era.
TRANSACTIONS
The Kings recalled rookie forward Eric Moreland from the D-League Reno Bighorns on Tuesday afternoon.
Moreland was assigned to Reno on Dec. 12 and totaled 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting to go along with 21 rebounds and three assists in two games.
QUOTABLE
Kings GM Pete D’Alessandro: “When you talk about instability, I talk about stability. I think your stability is in the players you have and we have those players. It’s in your ownership and we have ownership that’s stable. ... We’re here and our players know it.”
