Kings Aim for Road Win, Boost Draft Odds

0:00This is Corey with NBA News Today, powered by the Daily News Now. Subscribe for daily updates on your team. The Sacramento Kings wrap up their season series against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday in Los Angeles. They pulled off a surprise win in their last match-up, and a victory this time would tie things up at two games each. But the Kings head into the game severely shorthanded, with five players ruled out due to injuries. Kings have snapped out of a rough stretch by winning two of their last three games after dropping 16 straight. Still, the Lakers present a tougher challenge than their recent opponents. Long-term injuries have played Sacramento all season, including several season ending surgeries around the All-Star break. With a league-worst record of 14 wins and 47 losses and just 21 games remaining, the Kings are focused on finishing with the bottom spot to boost their draft odds. A road win would live spirits in the locker room and help develop their younger talent heading into the offseason. Young players like Precious Achoa need to build on recent strong

1:02showings, averaging solid points and rebounds over his last few games. Others, such as Maxime Renaud and Nika Clifford have flash potential too. Veterans Russell Westbrook and DeMar de Rosanne also have extra motivation playing in Los Angeles. This match-up caps a five-game road trip for the Kings and tips off at 6.30 p.m. Pacific time. Beating LeBron James and the Lakers could end their tough campaign on a positive note. A message from our sponsor supports today's story.