NBA Hoops: Casspi expects to be fit for visit of Bulls

NBA Hoops Casspi expect

By ALLON SINAI
Despite limping off the court with a sprained left ankle on Friday, Omri Casspi expects to play in the Sacramento Kings' home encounter against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. The 21-year-old Israeli has impressed so far this season, averaging 8.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in 21.3 minutes on court. On Friday, he only managed two points in 11 minutes before being forced to leave the court in the fourth quarter. "The ankle is o.k.," Casspi said after training at full speed on Sunday. "It is just a little weak now and I need to work on it and make it stronger. "I like to play. I'm playing basketball because I love the game. I just don't like to sit out. I can't miss practice too, so I'll just do whatever it takes to be ready. I don't want to rush it, just want it to feel o.k. and it feels good, so I'm ready." After losing four of its first five games, Sacramento has won four straight and now holds a surprising 5-4 record. "Teams are going to take us a lot more seriously now," Casspi said. "We need to remain grounded and keep working hard because it's a long season." Coach Paul Westphal believes the team remains an underdog. "The only way we'll play well is to work as hard as we possibly can and then we'll live with the results," Westphal said.