LAKERS TONIGHT

Opponent--Sacramento Kings.

Site--Arco Arena, Sacramento.

Time--7:30.

TV--Channel 9.

Radio--KLAC (570).

Records--Lakers 15-7, Kings 7-13.

Record vs. Kings--(1995-96) 3-1.

Laker update--They are eight games above .500 for the first time and have won five of their last six. Still, Sacramento has been a difficult stop. The Lakers are 2-5 at Arco Arena the last three seasons. Forward Jerome Kersey was held out of practice Monday because his strained Achilles’ tendon flared up again Sunday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he will play tonight.

King update--Tyus Edney replaced Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf as the starting point guard Sunday, despite having shot 28.6% the previous 10 games. Edney responded by making seven of 11 shots, scoring 18 points and adding seven assists as the Kings beat the Orlando Magic. The victory also came with a switch at power forward, from Corliss Williamson to Michael Smith. Smith played 37 minutes and snagged 13 rebounds in his first start. Williamson, however, still had 16 points as a reserve.