Kings begin road trip in Washington

Sacramento ended a three-game losing streak with Tuesday’s 104-101 win over the Boston Celtics at ARCO Arena. Kevin Martin scored 22 points and Ron Artest contributed 18 points, eight rebounds and four steals for Sacramento, which beat the Celtics for the 12th time in the last 14 meetings. The Kings also defeated Boston for the 11th straight time at home.

Now Sacramento will hit the road for four games against Washington, New Jersey, Indiana and Philadelphia. The Kings, who are last in the Pacific standings, have lost two in a row on the road and own a 7-17 mark away from home this season.

Meanwhile, the Southeast Division-leading Wizards have won two straight, including Tuesday’s 112-100 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opener of a brief two-game homestand.

All-Star Gilbert Arenas poured in 38 points and DeShawn Stevenson chipped in a season-best 23 points for Washington, which owns a five-game lead over both Orlando and Miami in the Southeast Division.

The Wizards are 20-7 at the Verizon Center this season.

Thursday’s showdown between the Kings and Wizards is the second and final meeting of the regular season. Washington won the first matchup, 126-119, on December 21 at ARCO Arena.

Washington has won three straight in the series, while the Kings have dropped two of their last three trips to D.C.