CSN Bay Area

Programming note: Kings-Hornets coverage starts today at 3:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet California and streaming live right here (territorial restrictions apply).

Sacramento’s eight game road trip doesn’t get any easier as the Kings (21-41), will try to snap a four-game losing streak when they face the Hornets (28-34), who have won four of their last five.

The Kings, who are now 3-7 under coach George Karl, haven’t won since the inaugural game of the current sojourn at Madison Square Garden over the Knicks last Monday.

BETTING LINE

Hornets by 4.5

MATCHUPS TO WATCH

Al Jefferson vs DeMarcus Cousins  -- Cousins should expect multiple defensive looks including Jefferson, Zeller, double teams and all the junk in the trunk Charlotte head coach Steve Clifford can conjure up.   

Mo Williams/Kemba Walker vs Ray McCallum -- McCallum and Andre Miller off the bench will have their hands full with Williams, last week’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week.

After averaging, 19 points and 11 assists in a 4-0 week for the Hornets, the mid-season acquisition had 19 points and seven assists in Monday’s 95-69 home loss to the Wizards.

Walker, who has missed the last 18 games following knee surgery, will return to action tonight and play an estimated 8-9 minutes.

HERENDA’S AGENDA

1. Quality O –- Since Jan. 1, Charlotte leads the NBA in field goal percentage against (41.3 percent) and fewest points allowed (92.7 points per game).

2. Rebounding –- If Sacramento controls the glass, they can increase the pace vs the Hornets, who are 27th in the NBA, scoring 94.8 points per night.

The Kings are second in the league in rebound margin at + 4.3 while the Hornets lead the NBA in defensive rebound percentage.

3. Take care of the ball  –- If possessions are limited, make the most of them and get more “We shots, than me shots” in Karl’s parlance.

INJURY REPORT

Kings -- C DeMarcus Cousins (left ankle sprain) is probable while G Darren Collison (core muscle injury) and F Eric Moreland (left shoulder labral tear) are out.

Hornets -- G Kemba Walker (left knee surgery) will play while F Cody Zeller (right shoulder strain) is doubtful.

SERIES HISTORY

The Kings and Hornets meet for the first of two games this season and the second affair will take place in Sacramento on March 20. The Kings' last victory in Charlotte was in January 2013.

Charlotte swept last season’s series and leads the overall series 25-23.

QUOTABLE

“I like my team. I think our team’s going to be fine . . . If you’re going to overreact to wins and losses, I think you’re crazy.” - George Karl, after Monday’s 130-105 loss in Atlanta.