CSN Bay Area

Programming note: Wizards-Kings coverage starts this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet California (territory restrictions apply) andstreaming live right here

The Kings wrap up an eight-game road trip against the Wizards in the second of back-to-back games after Friday’s loss in Philadelphia.

Sacramento may be without Rudy Gay, who is listed as doubtful due to a knee injury sustained against the Sixers. The Kings small forward is averaging 24.9 points per game on the road trip and 20.6 points per night on the season.

Washington (37-28), is on a modest two-game winning streak but has struggled going 15-19 since Jan. 1. Meanwhile, Sacramento (22-42) is 2-5 on the current road trip and 4-8 since George Karl took over at the All-Star break.

[REWIND: Kings squander flow, game in third quarter vs. 76ers]

BETTING LINE:
Wizards by 9

MATCHUP TO WATCH:
Marcin Gortat vs DeMarcus Cousins -- Cousins put up monster numbers Friday night and if Gay is out, Sacramento will need similar production from their All-Star center.

John Wall & Bradley Beal vs Ray McCallum & Ben McLemore -- The Kings will be tested by one of the best backcourt tandems in the NBA.

HERENDA’S AGENDA:
1. DeMarcus Cousins –- Sacramento will need another big night to contend in the nation’s capital city.

2. Guard play –- The Kings must not allow Wall and Beal to simply go off and dictate tempo.

3. Take care of the ball –- Sacramento cannot afford to help Washington out and must curb its propensity for blunders which lead to big runs by the opposition.

INJURY REPORT:
Kings -- F Rudy Gay, (left patellar tendon strain) is out, C Ryan Hollins (lower back strain) is questionable, while C DeMarcus Cousins (left ankle sprain) is probable.

G Darren Collison (core muscle injury) and F Eric Moreland (left shoulder labral tear) are out.

[RELATED: Gay out vs. Wizards with knee injury]

Wizards -- F Kris Humphries (strained right groin) and G Garrett Temple (right hamstring strain) are out while C/F Nene (personal reasons) is questionable.

SERIES HISTORY:
Saturday represents the first meeting of the season between the Kings and Wizards.

The squads split last season’s series 1-1 with each team winning at home while the Kings lead the overall series 102-86, including 29-27 in the Sacramento era.

The two-game season series between the Kings and Wizards will conclude on March 22 at Sleep Train Arena.

QUOTABLE:
“DeMarcus (Cousins) was tremendous. He was the best player on the court.”

- George Karl on DeMarcus Cousins, 39-point and career-high 24-rebound performance in Friday’s 114-107 loss in Philadelphia to the Sixers.