[InTheHole]

Jeff Benton

For Friday we’ll play the Kings-Suns game OVER the posted total.

We’re dealing with a massive total in this game, no doubt about it. But we’re also dealing with two teams that haven’t played defense all season long, and I can’t envision that changing tonight when neither squad has much to play for (the Kings were out of the playoff hunt, well, back in November; Phoenix’s playoff hopes are dwindling by the day).

Just take a look at the final score when these teams faced off just five days ago in Sacramento: Phoenix prevailed 126-118, and the game jumped over the 237 ½-point total even though the squads combined for a paltry 43 points in the fourth quarter (they combined for 68 in the first, 66 in the second and 67 in the third). What’s more, since that contest on Saturday, Sacramento has played two games with final scores of 111-110 (against defensive-minded New Orleans) and 143-141 in overtime (against up-tempo Golden State).

Meanwhile, Phoenix has been a freakin’ scoring machine since the All-Star break (when the team switched coaches). In fact, since that time, the Suns have scored 140 or more four times; 125 or more seven times and 114 or more 14 times – and we’re talking in a total of 24 games!

Finally, over just the last five games, look at these numbers: Sacramento is averaging 114.4 ppg on 47 percent shooting and Phoenix is averaging 111.6 ppg on 48.6 percent shooting, but defensively, the Kings are allowing 119.4 ppg on 53.6 percent shooting during this five-game stretch while the Suns are surrendering 116.4 ppg on 50 percent shooting.

This scoreboard is going light up in a big way in the desert tonight, folks. In fact, I predict that both teams (who have gone over the total in five of their last seven meetings in Phoenix!) will score in the 130s – at least! Play it OVER the total.

4♦ Kings-Suns OVER