1. TURNOVERS! Twenty turnovers is too many for any team. For a team that shoots poorly and against a team that flies in transition, it's nearly death. The Kings had nine turnovers in a nine-minute span in the second quarter. The Kings got blown out during that stretch. The Kings went eight minutes without a giveaway in the first quarter … and built up a solid lead. It's pretty basic: stop coughing up the ball, especially on lazy, soft passes or aimless dribble-drives into traffic.

2. Turnovers. For the love of God.

5. Feed DeMarcus Cousins. The Suns have no one remotely capable of slowing him. He picked up 15 free throw attempts on Tuesday and still went 9-18 from the floor. The Suns fronted at times, so the guards and wings need to find ways to get the ball in there.

6. Pray DeMarcus Cousins plays. His shoulder is apparently in some pain.

7. Consistent defensive effort. It can't be a fourth quarter only thing. The Kings won by the skin of their teeth. With the sort of defensive effort we saw late stretched out over 48 minutes — hell, even 40 minutes — the Kings will be much better.

And now, a haiku:

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