MINNEAPOLIS -- It wasn't supposed to be a preview of the Western Conference playoffs, not the first Sunday of February here at the Target Center.

But don't be deceived by the timing of the situation.

That was playoff-type intensity and testosterone bouncing off each other throughout Sacramento's 112-107 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in a game unseen by anyone other than the sellout crowd of 19,006 fans.

The victory was Sacramento's fifth straight overall and 17th in its past 18 games. The Kings have a league-leading 36-10 record and improved to 11-9 on the road with their third straight victory away from Arco Arena and fifth in their last six games.

The game originally was scheduled to be nationally televised by NBC, but then was pulled and not televised by either team.

Whoever made that decision owes the country some great basketball.