Lose 1, win 1, lose 1, win 4, lose 3, win 3, lose 3.

It could have been even streakier, if Chris Duhon didn't happen in Game 2 at Chicago.

So, are the Kings inconsistent? Uh, yeah.

That odd "+4,-3,+3,-4" pattern can be completed tonight if, as expected by nearly everyone in the free world, the Kings drop the second game of a back-to-back (we need a good acronym for this) in Phoenix.

Ron Artest won't be playing again, which is a pretty damn big story in itself. I understand how serious sore backs can get, but um, this town ran Peja Stojakovic out of town partly because of a strained finger caused by a loose ball struggle. A balky back thanks to a cramped Mercedes-Benz isn't going to earn much more sympathy.

Alas, Mike D'Antoni isn't going to show any pity. Thanks to the Wizards, the Suns are now the hottest team in the league. And the spread tonight is larger than it was for either of the games in Texas, which says something about the adjusting national opinions of Phoenix and Sacramento.

No one likes a convict who belabors his own execution, so without further adieu…

The Suns are favored by 10. Here are the margins for their last six home games (all wins): 9, 12, 3, 9, 6, 18, 11, 6. Interestingly, Milwaukee was a 10-point dog in Phoenix on Friday and lost by six. (But Milwaukee was on two days' rest.) The Suns are one of those teams you can always come back on – with such a high rate of possessions, the time it takes to reduce a lead is significantly shortened. The Kings seem to be getting good at getting games close (save Dallas), so I think single-digits is doable. I'm taking the Kings and the points. I'm 5-8 on the season. (Bah.)

Ze game ztarts at ze early hour of zsix o'clock Pazific. Vive le shockeur!