Kings vs. Knicks: DeMarcus Cousins expected to return against Eastern elite

The Kings, fresh off an embarrassing blowout in Portland, are back home to take on the New York Knicks, one of the East's two best teams. The Knicks are dealing with some injuries -- Carmelo Anthony didn't play Wednesday, Raymond Felton won't be playing for 4-6 weeks and Amar'e Stoudemire isn't yet ready to return. The Kings will be without Tyreke Evans, who intends to return to action on Sunday against the Celtics. But it looks like they'll have DeMarcus Cousins back on Friday. Keith Smart said on Grant Napear's show Thursday that it looks like Cousins will dress for the game. His one-game suspension ended Monday, but he did not travel with the club to Oregon. He was, uh, salty in a brief interview with media yesterday.

The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. on News10 and 1140 AM.

The Knicks enter 21-8 overall, and 9-6 on the road. The Kings are 8-7 at home, and let's just leave it at that. Tyson Chandler is the best defensive big man in the league (and has been since Dwight Howard was abducted by aliens), and J.R. Smith is shooting like crazy this season. Beware of those two.

Game thread at 7, fan predictions soon, recap after the game. Special treat from Fippin at 8 a.m.