Magic/Kings preview

SAC, 8-7 and 6-2 home and in third place in the Pacific Division, will provide tough competition for the Magic (13-5, 6-4 road) MON night. The Kings have lost 2 in a row and are coming off a close road loss to the Spurs 100-98 SAT night. G Kevin Martin scored 30 pts to lead SAC. F John Salmons added 20 pts. F Ron Artest did not play with a strained lower back and is listed as day-to-day.

Martin leads SAC in scoring with a 22.9 ppg average on 54.2% FG shooting. Artest is averaging 17.4 ppg, PG Mike Bibby 17.1 ppg and 5.9 assists, and F Shareef Abdur-Rahim averages 12.3 ppg and 6.1 rebs. Salmons averages 8 ppg, and C Brad Miller averages 5.3 ppg and 6.7 rebs. SAC averages 98.5 ppg while allowing 97.5 ppg. The Magic average 96 ppg and allow 93.3 ppg.

Magic will try to bounce back after the 116-91 beating at the hands of the Clippers SUN night. However, the Magic have lost 11 games in a row at SAC and haven't won there since DEC of 1993 (the Shaq and Penny days). Kings are 5 1/2 pt favorites (www.pinnaclesports.com).