Just another game, right?

Redonkulous.

Even Bill Simmons has spit the knackered idea that the Lakers-Kings rivalry is done:

Wasn't even that heated? Rick Fox's jaw and Jackie Christie's purse would like to disagree with you, sir. (And that was during a preseason game.)Yes, the Shaq trade followed by the methodical internal demolition of the Glory Kings dissipated the rivalry, just as decades of Boston's managerial ineptitude and shrunken talent base has weakened the Celtics/Lakers rivalry. But I won't rewrite history – Celtics/Lakers was one of the greatest sports rivalries of all-time. Certainly, few seemingly eternal bouts were more exciting.

… as is the case with the early decade Kings/Lakers rivalry. It's not just Kings fans who reference that Game 7 – NBA fans all over the country still talk about it. It was by far the most compelling three hours of basketball this decade, and possibly since the 1980s. Seriously, from start to finish – has there been a game in the last 17 years with more on the line, more dramatic and compelling storylines, more fascinating actors than Webber and Shaq and Bibby and Kobe and Peja and Phil and Vlade and Horry? What, you think MJ versus the Jazz or Detroit/San Antonio was better TV? Liar. We poisoned a guy to win a title!

Yes, the rivalry is much weaker since most of the moving parts that made that drama have moved on, not the least of which is the talent level of the Kings. But don't you skeptics go and try to take away our memories. Asshats.

(And it's not like the games have been boring since the 'good ole days.' Lamar Odom FTW, anyone? And while completely mindf*cking in every possible way, that disaster in January was completely breathless in its drama. Don't act like Kobe doesn't get geeked for SAC.)

Business, please:

The Lakers are 7.5-point favorites, which is danger territory. Tight games can turn into 8-point losses pretty easily, especially since Eric Musselman likes to play the foul-til-you-can't-foul-no-more game. If the line were +8, I'd take the Kings in a heartbeat. +7.5 is risky. Still, you know this is going to be a close one, and the majority of close games end with margins smaller than eight. Take the Kings.

The Kings have the ninth worst record in the league.

7:30 pm. Good luck, and good night.