Vladimir Radmanovic

Brad Miller

The other big injury question is Peja Stojakovic's strained groin. Stojakovic was injured last Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers and hasn't played since. Stojakovic's status was in doubt early in the week, but he too is now expected to play.

While several players are still coming back from or bothered by injuries, the Sonics and Kings should enter this series relatively at full strength. What exactly that means remains a mystery. Miller was injured shortly after the Kings remade their lineup by trading Chris Webber to Philadelphia, while Bobby Jackson has played only once since late December. How the Kings lineup will fit together remains a mystery, even to Sacramento Coach Rick Adelman.

The Sonics know what their healthy lineup can do, as they were 43-20 when Radmanovic was sidelined. But Radmanovic has practiced just twice since then, and forward Rashard Lewis - who missed nine of the last 13 games with a bone bruise in his right foot and tendinitis in his left knee - missed those practices. On both sides, some rust can be expected today, particularly when the nerves that accompany playoff basketball are considered.

G U A R D S
	According to most experts, the point guard matchup between Luke Ridnour and Mike Bibby will be the key one in this series. One of the best point guards in the game, Bibby is a challenge for any opposing point guard to contain. But Ridnour has played well against the Kings, averaging 13.3 points in four matchups.
	If point guard is believed to be the matchup that favors the Kings in this series, the Sonics should have the advantage at shooting guard. Cuttino Mobley is a fine outside shooter who will make the Sonics pay if they leave him open on the perimeter, but Mobley is not a highly-regarded defender and Ray Allen scored 34 points on him on Feb. 10. Allen has been outstanding in the playoffs in the past and will look to step up again.
F O R W A R D S
	Both small forwards in this series are coming back from injuries. Before sitting out the Sonics finale, Lewis had gotten hot, scoring 28 points at Minnesota and 21 points in 27 minutes at Dallas. Lewis' presence changed the Sonics dramatically by giving them another shooter and a post presence. Stojakovic was sizzling to start April before suffering his injury, including 35 points and six 3-pointers at Portland on April 8.
	The less-heralded matchup that could be key in this series is power forward. The Kings fours have hurt the Sonics with their ability to shoot from mid-range. Kenny Thomas and Darius Songaila combined for 33 points on 15-for-20 shooting in Sacramento's win on April 5. But Sonics forward Reggie Evans had 11 points and 12 rebounds and dominated the glass against the Kings this season, averaging 12.8 rebounds.
C E N T E R
	Miller may not start as he works his way back into the lineup today. That would leave Brian Skinner, who suffered a sprained foot in the Kings finale but will play anyway, as Sacramento's starter in the middle. Though Miller is an All-Star, Sacramento has stayed afloat with Skinner, who is a solid center. The Sonics are looking for consistent production from Jerome James after James struggled during the team's final road trip.
B E N C H
	Depth was a major issue for the Kings entering the season, but the Webber trade has helped them build a strong bench. Bobby Jackson (right) is one of the league's top sixth men, while up front the Kings will have Corliss Williamson and Songaila in addition to whichever center does not start. The Sonics also get back a game-changing sixth man in Radmanovic (left). They'll add him to Antonio Daniels, Danny Fortson and Nick Collison to re-form their bench unit at the start of the season. But because of injuries, Vitaly Potapenko and Damien Wilkins have also staked their claim to some playing time.

TEAM LEADERS ALLEN STOJAKOVIC Allen 23.9 PPG Stojakovic 20.1 Evans 9.3 RPG Miller 9.3 Ridnour 5.9 APG Bibby 6.8 Ridnour 1.2 SPG Bibby 1.6 James 1.4 BPG Miller 1.2 Allen 39.3 MPG Bibby 38.6

The Sonics are 23-18 in Game 1s all-time.

INJURIES

Sonics - Forwards Rashard Lewis (patellar tendinitis, left knee) and Vladimir Radmanovic (stress fracture, right fibula) are probable.

Sacramento - Forward Peja Stojakovic (strained groin) and center Brad Miller (fractured left fibula) are probable.

For more analysis before tonight's game, listen to David Locke on the Sonics Pregame Show starting at 6:50 on KJR 950 AM and 7:00 on Sonics Radio Network stations.