Pacers welcome Artest, Kings to Conseco Fieldhouse

The Kings have dropped the first two games of the swing, including Friday’s 109-96 setback to New Jersey.

Former Pacer Ron Artest scored a game-high 33 points for the Kings, who have dropped five of their last six contests. John Salmons scored 16 off the bench and Ronnie Price contributed 15. Shareef Abdur-Rahim pulled down 10 rebounds in a losing effort.

Sacramento is just 7-19 on the road this season and the Pacific Division’s last place club will wrap its trek on Monday in Philadelphia.

Forward Kenny Thomas (sprained jaw) is questionable for Sunday’s game against Indiana.

Artest will be making just his second visit to Indiana since demanding to be traded by the club early last season. He played in just 16 games with the Pacers before being dealt to Sacramento.

The Pacers also fell in defeat on Friday as they were downed by Toronto, 110-88.

Jamaal Tinsley posted 19 points and eight assists for the Pacers, who had a three-game winning streak snapped. Jermaine O’Neal had 17 points and eight rebounds, while Darrell Armstrong chipped in 13 points off the bench.

The Pacers come into the tilt six games back of Detroit for the lead in the Central Division and 18-10 as the host this season. The club will welcome Phoenix to Conseco Fieldhouse on Tuesday.

Guard Marquis Daniels (left knee) is questionable for tonight’s game.

This will mark the first meeting between the two clubs this season. The Pacers swept the two-game series last year to snap a six-game series losing streak to the Kings.