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Marbury, Knicks look to end slide vs. Kings

Nov 16, 2007 - 4:26 PM New York (2-5) at Sacramento (2-6) 10:00 pm EST

SACRAMENTO, California (Ticker) - Stephon Marbury already has saddled the New York Knicks with off-court problems this season. They have not been much better on the court either.

With Marbury back in the fold after a peculiar hiatus, the Knicks look to end their four-game losing streak Friday when they visit the Sacramento Kings.

Upon learning that he was being demoted from the starting lineup, Marbury left the team and flew back to New York prior to Tuesday's loss to the Phoenix Suns.

The two-time All-Star point guard returned a day later, but the Knicks still dropped an 84-81 decision to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Marbury, who was fined $182,000 for skipping Tuesday's contest, came off the bench to score 13 points and hand out four assists in 33 minutes.

New York, which is shooting just 41 percent during its current skid, will be shorthanded once again Friday, as forward Zach Randolph will not be with the team.

The Knicks' leading rebounder, Randolph will attend his grandmother's funeral, which takes place in Indiana.

The Kings also have struggled this season, losing six of their first eight contests in the campaign.

Sacramento dropped a 108-103 decision to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, the team's third loss in its last four games.

The contest marked the season debut of troubled forward Ron Artest, who scored 17 points after returning from a league-imposed seven-game suspension stemming from a domestic dispute last season.