Kings @Pacers, 7 p.m. Wednesday: This is Game 2 of Sacramento's four-stop swing through the East. No Chris Webber yet, but the Kings can win this one if they keep Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose under control and Peja Stojakovic and Vlade Divac produce on offense. Mike Bibby seems to be fitting in well. Pacers can prevail if Jermaine O'Neal's quickness overwhelms Divac and puts the veteran in foul trouble. (TV: TNT)

76ers @Rockets, 8 p.m. Thursday: This is no time for injury-riddled Philly to be on the road but here they are in Houston. Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley will take supreme advantage of the Sixers' hobbled backcourt. Philly's Dikembe Mutombo and Derrick Coleman will have to provide major scoring, and they can against Kenny Thomas and Kelvin Cato. (TV: TNT)

Raptors @Jazz, Saturday: No television for this contest, but it should be a telling one for both teams. Toronto begins a brutal six-game, nine-day Western swing that ends Nov. 18 in Phoenix. Vince Carter, of course, will bring plenty of game, and the Raptors can hope that Hakeem Olajuwon will provide winning muscle against Utah centers Greg Ostertag and John Amaechi.

Glenn Rogers