Live from the locker room: Kings vs. Hornets

Here is the latest news live from Sleep Train Arena:

• The Sacramento Kings (22-45) are looking to snap their four-game losing streak tonight as they take on the Charlotte Hornets (29-37) for the second time in 10 days.  Charlotte currently sits on the outside looking in of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, trailing the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers by just a half game for the eighth and final spot.

• DeMarcus Cousins will miss his third straight game with a right calf strain, but his availability was all over the board leading up to the game.  “I have no idea,” coach George Karl said.  “I heard maybe and then I heard no and then I heard maybe…it’s a maybe.”

• Whether Cousins was going to play or not, Karl had already made up his mind to start Rudy Gay at the power forward position tonight.  Gay has started 60 of the team’s 67 games this season at the small forward position, but Karl would like to see something different tonight from the athletic wing. “Rudy knows the plays at four, but can he run the plays at four?  Those are two different things,” Karl said.

• Ben McLemore is probable with a right forearm contusion and is expected to start, but Karl was non-committal of who would get the nod at either the small forward or center position.  Cody Zeller is listed as questionable for the Hornets with a right shoulder sprain, but he is expected to start.