Believe it or not, but a lot rides on the game tonight.

To wit:

So, yeah. Go Kings. Here are the projected lineups:CHARLATANS OF CAROLINA
PG – Brevin Knight, former Stanford Cardinal
SG – Kareem Rush, former Laker
SF – Gerald Wallace, former star of Sacramento-area McDonald's commercials
PF – Emeka Okafor, former national champ
C  – Primoz Brezec, purveryor of several Z's.

SACRAMENTO'S IN THE HOUSE
PG – Mike Bibby, who needs peach fuzz on the scalp like Martha Stewart needs cooking tips.
SG – Bonzi Wells, who is the one Kings starter not on the All-Star ballot.
SF – Peja Stojakovic, who really needs a change of scenery, please.
PF – Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who needs some jersey love. He's a mild star, he's got guts, he's going to be in town for a while.
C  – Brad Miller, who needs the headband back. And needs a Team USA invite. And needs an intervention, apparently.

The line: -3.5. The Kings should be able to pull away from Los Gatos del Roberto. This is a solid wager, given a) Charlotte is unhealthy, and b) Charlotte sucks.

Fun bet o' the night: Another real bet from Bodog – Shareef's points plus rebounds at 24.5. I like the over a lot. Wish I was a betting man.

Sideshow most likely to be entertaining: Will Bonzi try to defend GDub the same way he did in Sactown, by playing real physical and punking the kid into submission? I hope so. Even if Bonzo gets into foul trouble, it'll give us some more time to look at Kevin Martin, potentially. KMart has gotten real short shrift thus far. (I'm almost ready to break out a "Free Speed Racer" campaign.)

Best matchup: Peja vs. his bruised and fragile psyche. A thrilling battle every night so far this season.

Pregame haiku:

As the great Luigi would say, "Here we go!" 4:30 Pacific start on Comcast SportsNet. Let's go KINGS!