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Kings-Warriors Preview

Feb 17, 2010 - 7:43 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Sacramento (18-35) at Golden State (14-38), 10:30 p.m. EDT

The Sacramento Kings find themselves with some rare road momentum. Still, they certainly aren't in any position to expect a cakewalk at Oracle Arena, even with Monta Ellis hobbled.

With a chance to win three straight games away from home for the first time in over two years, the Kings may not have to contend with Ellis as they meet the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.

Sacramento (18-35) was flat in its first game following the All-Star break, shooting 38.1 percent in a 95-92 home loss to Boston on Tuesday for its 19th defeat in 23 contests.

"It was tough," Kings rookie Omri Casspi said. "I even made a free throw I tried to miss."

Sacramento averaged 108.2 points in its previous six games, winning each of its last two road matchups during that span.

This is the second time Sacramento has won two straight road games this season. The Kings haven't won three in a row away from Arco Arena since Dec. 18, 2007-Jan. 2, 2008.

Though Golden State (14-38) has lost 10 of 11 and could be without Ellis (sprained left knee) for the third straight game, Sacramento may not have an easy time continuing its road success. The Kings have lost six of seven and 10 of their last 13 in Oakland.

Kevin Martin will travel to face the Warriors for the first time since scoring a career-high 50 in the Kings' 143-141 overtime loss April 1. Martin was held to 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting versus the Celtics after averaging 22.3 points in his previous three games.

The guard has been inconsistent in 16 games since returning from a fractured left wrist, averaging 17.1 points and shooting 38.4 percent.

Kings swingman Francisco Garcia made his season debut after breaking his forearm in a freak preseason injury. He went scoreless in one minute.

Garcia was a significant part of Sacramento's rotation over the last two seasons, averaging a career-high 12.7 points in 2008-09.

Ellis, averaging a career-best 26.2 points, wasn't with the Warriors for a 104-94 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. Ellis was in Birmingham, Ala., to get his knee examined by Dr. James Andrews, and his status is uncertain.

Golden State did have Corey Maggette back in the lineup after he missed two games with a dislocated ring finger on his non-shooting hand. The veteran forward shot 4 for 13 and had 17 points after averaging 26.6 points in his previous 16 contests.

The Warriors were held to 41.7 percent shooting after making a season-high 62.0 percent of their attempts in their last game, a 132-102 win over the Clippers last Wednesday.

Rookie point guard Stephen Curry went 5 for 21 - 1 for 10 from 3-point range - but had 11 points, 10 rebounds and fell two assists shy of his second straight triple-double. Curry posted his first career triple-double with a season-best 36 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds against the Clippers.

"Something like a triple-double doesn't happen very often for most people, so for him to able to put up those type numbers offensively ... and distribute the ball like he did is phenomenal," Maggette said.

Curry had 27 points, nine rebounds and three steals in Golden State's 99-96 loss to Sacramento on Jan. 26, the teams' last meeting. The Kings have a 2-1 edge in the season series.