Smile, you're on national television.

It seems like this always happens, right? A national game on TNT is coming up, so it's time for losing streak. Not just any losing streak, though – a real ugly one with a couple blowouts and a couple heartbreakers. Really get demoralized before Charles and Kenny get to comment on you and shape the national media narrative.

It has been beyond ugly for the Kings the past week, even worse than 0-4 looks.

But Miami hasn't looked so pretty, either. Just 7-10 on the year, 4-6 in the last 10. That may even be overstating the Heat's quality – they have the worst point differential in the entire league (scoring 92.1 per game and giving up 98.2). A few bad blowouts are inflating that, but even if you account for that the team still looks awful. By any measure.

Shaq's out, Dwyane Wade's playing two positions full-time, and Jason Williams is just getting back into playing shape. Antoine Walker has been terrible, and Gary Payton is a corpse.

Demoralized Kings. Corpselike Heat. Sounds like fun, huh?

Let's get to the good stuff. And by good stuff, I mean the regurgitated game thread stuff.

The Kings, losers of the last four, are 5-point favorites over the defending champs. And I'm picking them. Kings by 9ish.

It's a TNT backend game, so see you at 8ish! Enjoy!