CSN Bay Area

Programming note: Kings-Heat coverage starts today at 4 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet California and streaming live right here (territorial restrictions apply)

The Kings (21-39) and the Heat (27-34) meet in the second of a back-to-back for both teams with both squads coming off of losses that included failed comeback bids.

Sacramento battled back from an 18-point deficit to lead in the fourth quarter, but ultimately lost 119-114 in Orlando, while Miami fell 99-97 in Washington after trailing by 35 points.

Both teams are without key players in Darren Collison (core muscle surgery) and Chris Bosh (blood clots) and Sacramento hasn’t won in Miami since a 90-75 victory on Nov. 10, 2001.

BETTING LINE

Heat by 5.5

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Goran Dragic vs Ray McCallum/Andre Miller  -- McCallum and Miller must contain Miami’s recently acquired floor general.

Hassan Whiteside vs DeMarcus Cousins -- Part of the same Kings of 2010 draft class, Cousins is a first time All-Star and Whiteside is one of the NBA’s biggest surprises of the season.

HERENDA’S AGENDA

1. Good start –- Miami is 5-21 this season when trailing after the first quarter.

2. Bench production –- Unlike Friday in Orlando, it can’t be just Gay and Cousins.  

3. Playmakers  –- Karl wants more of everything and the Kings will need to make plays to win in Miami.

INJURY REPORT

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

Heat -- G Dwyane Wade (sore right hip), F Luol Deng (right thigh contusion) and G Goran Dragic (lower back contusion) are questionable, while F Chris Bosh (blood clot) and F Josh McRoberts (right meniscus surgery) are out.

SERIES HISTORY

The Kings and Heat meet Saturday for the second and final time this season after Miami defeated Sacramento 95-83 on Jan. 16 at Sleep Train Arena.

Miami and Sacramento split last season’s series while the Heat lead the overall series 35-17.

QUOTABLE

“That’s what the road is. The road’s a hard place. It’s an unfair place. It’s a place that you might have been the better team in the second half, but you don’t get rewarded because we missed two layups when we were up one.” - George Karl after Friday’s Kings 119-114 loss in Orlando.