Chicago started the fourth with a 9-0 run to take a two-point lead, and ran away in the end with a 96-85 win. The Kings were outscored 27-9 in the fourth quarter, and you read that correctly, they scored just nine points in the fourth. That dreadful finish included eight turnovers and 3-21 shooting. Seriously.

Other than that? Wild post moves, unbalanced jumpers by the wrong dudes, woefully inadequate plays.

Down eight with 2-1/2 minutes left and sorely needing a basket, Westphal took a timeout. What play resulted? A contested 25-footer from Evans off the dribble. Needless to say, it missed. Did Westphal call for a Tyreke three off-the-dribble? Did Westphal request something else and Evans freelanced? Either way, it doesn't look good. That can't happen. Not now, after all these losses. Not now, in the 97th game with Westphal at the head of the team. Either way, the coach needs to take some responsibility for the readily apparent problem with what's going on right there on the court.

This is the beginning of the self-preservation phase of Westphal's tenure, and it's not a good look. A couple wins can turn it around, but they need to arrive by express mail, and hell, they'd might need to be neatly wrapped, too. Whether it's his fault or not, Westphal's clock is a'tickin'.