Sacramento (39-14) at Toronto (25-29)

The injury-riddled Toronto Raptors hope to avoid another embarrassing loss. That may not be so easy against the shorthanded Sacramento Kings.

The Raptors shot 33.8 percent from the floor on their way to a 94-64 loss to the Kings at Arco Arena on Nov. 14, and that was when Toronto had several more healthy bodies at its disposal.

All-Star guard Vince Carter was placed on the injured list Friday with a sprained left ankle. He’s expected to miss two to four weeks.

Carter, who missed the final six games of last season after rolling the same ankle, is averaging 21.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He missed a career-high 39 games in three stints on the injured list last season.

The Raptors are already missing Jalen Rose, who has four broken bones in his left hand, and rookie center Chris Bosh has been slowed by a sprained left ankle.

Making matters worse, the Raptors suspended disgruntled forward Lamond Murray for Sunday’s game after he criticized coach Kevin O’Neill. Murray ripped O’Neill after playing just six minutes in Toronto’s 91-72 loss to the New Jersey Nets on Friday.

The Kings, also playing with shorthanded, are looking to end their three-game road trip on a high note. Sacramento will be without injured center Brad Miller, suspended forward Chris Webber and top reserve Bobby Jackson.

Jackson suffered an abdominal strain in the first half of a 91-83 win over the Chicago Bulls on Friday

“Right now we are playing without Brad and Chris and we lost Bobby in the first half and it was difficult,” said All-Star Peja Stojakovic, who finished with 24 points. “We kept losing guys.”

Jackson’s injury is the same one that forced him to miss three games earlier this month.

“It’s hard because he is the guy who brings energy off the bench,” Kings coach Rick Adelman said. “We have to figure out how serious it is since it’s the second time he’s done it. We need to be real cautious for when we bring him back.”

Sacramento has won four of its last five overall, and is 1-1 on the trip.

STANDINGS (through Feb. 20): Kings - 1st place, Pacific Division. Raptors - 5th place, 14 1/2 GB, Central Division.

PROBABLE STARTERS: Kings - F Stojakovic, F Darius Songaila, C Vlade Divac, G Mike Bibby, G Doug Christie. Raptors - F Lonny Baxter, F Donyell Marshall, C Bosh, G Morris Peterson, G Alvin Williams.

TEAM LEADERS: Kings - Stojakovic, 25.3 ppg; Miller, 10.8 rpg; Divac, 5.8 apg. Raptors - Carter, 21.2 ppg; Marshall, 9.6 rpg; Carter and Rose, 4.7 apg.

SEASON SERIES: Kings, 1-0.

LAST MEETING: Nov. 14; Kings, 94-64. At Sacramento, Stojakovic scored 17 points and Songaila had 14 points and seven rebounds to pace the Kings. Carter scored 13 points on 5-of-21 shooting for Toronto.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Kings - 15-10 on the road; Raptors - 14-12 at home.

INJURIES: Kings - F Webber (suspended); F Miller (ankle); F Lawrence Funderburke (Achilles’). Raptors - C Eric Montross (foot); G Rose (hand); G Carter (ankle).