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Kings hope to have Artest vs. sliding Blazers

Nov 23, 2007 - 4:24 PM Sacramento (4-8) at Portland (4-8) 10:00 pm EST

PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) - The Sacramento Kings hope Ron Artest will be around to make things worse for the sliding Portland Trail Blazers.

After a one-game absence, Artest hopes to return to the Sacramento Kings when they take on the Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden on Friday.

Suspended for the first seven contests this campaign after last season's domestic violence dispute, Artest has given the struggling Kings a much-needed boost since his return.

The 6-7, 246-pound bruiser has averaged 23.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists to go along with his usual defensive intensity in four games for Sacramento, which won two of those contests.

But he did not play in the Kings' 127-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday - leaving the team for personal reasons - and his status for Friday's game is uncertain.

Sacramento, which has lost all six of its road games, also may be without point guard Beno Udrih (knee), who was playing inn place of Mike Bibby (thumb).

Francisco Garcia filled in for Udrih - who sat out Wednesday against the Suns - and netted a career-high 31 points for the Kings.

But it should be easier for Garcia and the Kings against Blazers, who have lost five straight since a surprising four-game winning streak. They suffered a 106-101 setback against the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday.

Portland, which is 4-1 at home this campaign, aims to avoid dropping six in a row for the first time since closing out the 2005-06 season with eight straight setbacks.