The Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings, two teams who are struggling – especially Sacramento – hooked up at Air Canada Centre for a Sunday tilt; from the appearances of the Kings after this game, I think it is safe to say that coach Kenny Natt will not get the get the word “interim” removed from his job title as the Kings, prior to this game, have won only 2 games in the month of January.

If you’re an interim coach, winning only 2 games in a month with 3 remaining will not afford you any job security – even the Maloofs in Sacramento realize this.  But that aside, both teams got together for 48 minutes and Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani laid waste to the Kings as they combined for 55 points, leading Toronto to the easy 113-97 thrashing of Sacramento.

The Kings started strong initially as they connected on 6-of-9 three-pointers in the first quarter, taking a 28-26 lead; conversely, they would only make 1-of-4 treys in the second quarter while Bosh and Jose Calderon scored 7 points each to give the Raptors a 56-53 lead at halftime.  Toronto would take over in the third quarter as they outscored Sacramento 31-21 to take a commanding 87-74 lead going into the final period and would hang on for the win.

Toronto’s high scorer was Bosh with 31 points, 8 rebounds, an assist and 2 blocked shots while Bargnani added 24 with 7 rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot; Calderon chipped in 16 with a rebound, 8 assists and a steal while Jermaine O’Neal secured a double-double, scoring 11 with 10 rebounds, 2 assists and a blocked shot.

Sacramento was led by John Salmons with 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal while Francisco Garcia added 18 with a rebound, 3 assists and 3 steals; Brad Miller pitched in, scoring 15 with 3 rebounds and 2 assists.  Toronto (18-28) plays again on Wednesday when they travel to New Jersey to take on the Nets while Sacramento (10-35) makes the trip to Cleveland to face the Cavaliers on Tuesday night. 

But be that