"I'm playing some guys a lot of minutes, because I need to play them a lot of minutes, and obviously, fatigue sets in," Natt said. "Bringing guys out earlier in the game will keep guys fresher and make us more efficient."

Natt said he emphasized taking care of the ball during practice Tuesday, one day after the coach demanded his team walk the ball up the floor because of turnovers against the San Antonio Spurs. Natt said he also scripted a few new plays as the Kings prepare for Friday's game against the Toronto Raptors at Arco Arena.

"The No. 1 focus was getting back home after a tough road trip and focus back in on the basics and keeping things simple," Natt said. "We emphasized pushing the ball down the floor, which is our strength, but when we are pushing it and turning it over like we were on the road, we can't continue to do that and survive. What we talked about was push with caution."

That's also Natt's approach to Kevin Martin's return from an ankle injury. Natt said Martin expressed a desire to practice Christmas Day with the team. Martin warmed up with the Kings on Tuesday before completing exhaustive sets of agility drills with team trainers.

Martin has missed the last eight consecutive games with a sore left ankle. He previously missed 12 games in November due to the same injury. Natt said he wasn't sure to what extent Martin would practice, if he did, or when the Kings' leading scorer would be game-ready.

"We'll see if we have any setbacks in practice," Natt said. "I think I'd like to see him have a couple practices in before we see him in a game situation. The last thing we want to do is bring him back early, then he's out again. Practice will tell."

Natt wasn't hiding his eagerness of having Martin return on a day meant for miracles.

"Hopefully, Santa will bring me whatever he can do to get Kevin back," Natt said. "We miss him immensely. He's our leader. We need him back out there on the floor as soon as possible, but at the same time, we have to be smart about it so we don't get set back again."

Setbacks were commonplace during the Kings' recent trip, their second four-game excursion of the season. The Kings opened the season 0-4 on the road.

"That was really frustrating," Francisco Garcia said of the losses to the Portland Trail Blazers (109-77), Houston Rockets (107-96), New Orleans Hornets (99-90) and Spurs (101-85).

"The whole team looked flat out there," said Garcia, who added he wasn't happy with his 17-of-45 shooting from the field during the last four games. "We have to get back to winning Basketball games. Coach stressed a lot of good things (Tuesday) on offense and defense and how we need to move the ball more without turning the ball over."

UP NEXT Kings VS. Raptors When: 7 p.m. Friday TV: CSN

Call The Bee's Melody Gutierrez, (916) 326-5521. To get breaking news alerts and game scores sent to your phone, text Kings to 72737.