Campbell Expected to Return Tonight

On the other hand, Elden Campbell should play.

While the Lakers head into another game without Shaquille O’Neal, serving a one-game suspension for Friday’s scuffle, they at least expect to get their power forward-center back after Campbell missed the opener because of neck spasms. He also sat out practice Sunday before returning Monday, appearing stiff at times but taking part in almost the entire workout before leaving a few minutes early for therapy.

“I saw him a few times kind of wince,” Coach Del Harris said. “But if you had known he missed the last three or four days, I don’t think the average person would have known he was hurt.”

*

O’Neal, wanting to put the confrontation with Greg Ostertag behind him, runs into an obvious obstacle: the Lakers play at the Delta Center, the lion’s den even for visiting teams that aren’t hated, in two weeks.

He doesn’t have to work hard to imagine the welcome.

“Perfect,” O’Neal said. “Exactly what I want.”

TONIGHT

at

Sacramento

* 7:30 p.m.

* Channel 9

Site--Arco Arena.

Radio--KLAC 570.

Records--Lakers 1-0, Kings 0-2.

Record vs. Kings--4-0 (1996-97 season).

Update--Trade possibilities between the teams lead directly into the game, not merely with Eddie Jones and Mitch Richmond on the same court but matched against each other at shooting guard. The Lakers, returning to action after three days off following the 17-point victory on opening night, have won six in a row against the Kings.