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Injury-plagued Kings visit Bulls

Jan 5, 2008 - 1:29 PM Sacramento (12-19) at Chicago (12-19) 8:30 pm EST

CHICAGO (Ticker) - The Sacramento Kings hope to continue their road dominance over the Chicago Bulls when they meet on Saturday.

Sacramento has captured 15 of the last 16 meetings against the Bulls, who are just 1-7 at the United Center in the season series since the 1997-98 campaign.

Dealing with the losses of three key starters, the Kings lost for the sixth time in seven games Friday, dropping a 97-93 decision to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Kings swingman John Salmons has done his best trying to make up for the missing scoring punch of injured starters Mike Bibby (hand), Ron Artest (elbow) and Kevin Martin (knee). The 6-6 Salmons is averaging 24.7 points in the past four games.

Despite Ben Gordon and Joe Smith turning in huge performances, the Bulls suffered a 115-109 double-overtime setback to the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday.

"It was a very winnable game," Gordon said. "Both teams were tired. They came up with more key plays in the pivotal moments."

After struggling as a full time starter, Gordon has found his touch since Chicago interim coach Jim Boylan put him back on the bench. Gordon has scored at least 30 points three times in five games in his sixth-man role.