And as with every Sac-to game, this won’t be an easy task.

The Suns have been doing quite well against their divisional rival so far, racking up 2 wins and looking to sweep the series in the capital of California, but, when playing the Kings you have to remember, this is a team that trapped the Suns twice last season in dramatic fashion. This is a team that can go off unless you hold their young stars defensively, and execute well offensively. Basically, your recipe for any other win, but without the Suns famous brainfarts.

The interesting battles will however come on two ends of the lineup. The point guard matchup of  Steve Nash and Isaiah Thomas the tiny Mr. Irrevelant of the 2011 draft, who has been rolling ever since he received a starting spot from coach Keith Smart. This is not the only vet-meets-youngster matchup that we’ll have tonight, as Marcin Gortat goes up against DeMarcus Cousins in an epic battle of the bigs that will probably include: a) pick and rolls b) ill advised shots from DMC c) A LOT OF REBOUNDS.

However, as these match ups might just balance themselves out, the big one here might be Tyreke Evans vs Jared Dudley, as Jared will have the unfortunate “honour” of replacing Grant Hill as the teams primary wing defender. Tyreke struggled mightily with Grant defending him, however Jared might be a pleasant player to play against for him. The recipe, however? Don’t let him drive. Which is easier said and done of course.

Now, the battle of the contender and the lottery picker begins.

Where will it go? We can only hope it goes the Suns way, I guess.

The Sacramento Kings are mediocre. Sure, they have stretches of brilliance, but they have stretches of utter incompetence. They are inexperienced, sloppy and just plain hilarious. The Suns have to use that, and use it well.

The Suns won the last game in Sacramento quite convincingly. Granted, they later went 0-3 in their following back-to-back-to-back, but it still was a nice sight. The Suns can win it convincingly again, as long as everyone steps up as they did in Sac-to.

The Suns had 4 players in double figures in that game while Steve Nash has 15 dishes. Nash’s ability to penetrate against the Kings has been killing them, along with Jared Dudley’s ability to hit the midrange jumper, and Marcin Gortat’s finishing ability. And yet, the challenge awaits again, especially for Gortat.

Gortat will be facing DeMarcus Cousins again. Cousins scored 26 in their last meeting, mostly courtesy of Gortat’s early foul trouble and Channing Frye and Markieff Morris’ tendency to foul him. Tonight however, Cousins should be the one watching out, as Gortat plays much better when at home in Phoenix, and the Suns are having a lot of rest throughout this homestand (interrupted by a game in Oklahoma City next Tuesday)

Meanwhile, Kings point guard Isaiah Thomas (named after another point guard due to a lost bet) has been the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for the month of February. With him added to the weapons that are Marcus Thorton and Tyreke Evans and the rebounder Demarcus Cousins is, the Suns will have to play as hard on defence, as they had the last two games.

Hopefully, all of this can happen, because this game is an absolute must win.