I hate pointing out one or two statistics and insisting that is the reason a team won or lost a game, but …

New Orleans steals: 11.

Sacramento steals: 2.

Off the top o' the old head, I'm not sure how strongly steals correlate with opponent turnover rate, but I imagine it's pretty high. In this, it certainly correlated: N.O. had a shockingly low six turnovers. The Kings had a wondrously high 17 in 87 possessions (20% TOV rate). Rebounding remained even (a minor victory), the Kings shot better and N.O. drew more whistles (not more fouls, just more whistles). If the Kings force Chris Paul into a few bad decisions (difficult) or draw a few David West/James Posey/Tyson Chandler charges (free Mikki!) and on the other end stop handing the ball to Paul, it's a completely different game.

Other notes:

* Bobby Brown struggled to get the team into its offense while on the court, and Bobby Jackson did torch N.O. last time around. But I expected to get some more Brown, let him figure it out. That didn't happen

* I thought Moore played well in his stint (eight minutes, one rebound but strong defense). Overall, you'd have to be Mikki's orthodontist to not like the jib of the big man rotation (33 min for Hawes, 27 for Thompson, 28 for Miller) — but I really wouldn't be upset if Moore got some more burn. Unlike Kenny Thomas circa 2006-07, Mikki has redeemable value on the court. It just happens to be less than the other three dudes.

* Speaking of which: golf clap for Thompson's eight defensive rebounds. Shock is a wonderful offensive rebounder (one of the best in the league today) and a good defensive boarder for a power forward. To date, his huge rebounding games (and 10 in 27 minutes is huge — 13.3 per 36 minutes) have come with a grip of offensive boards. But Thompson boxed the hell out of West, Armstrong and Chandler. Well done, sir.

* Salmons finished with seven assists. Anyone remember a single one?

* Hawes will come around.

* Donté Greene three off a screen — that's why we watch a 7-21 team.