Balanced precariously on the razor's edge between potential and the same old-same old, the War-dribbles are lurching heavily towards the ghosts of seasons past. They're hurting right now, having lost three in a row and six of their last ten games. They currently sit three and one-half games out of the number eight playoff position (behind the damn Fakers, among others), and have settled into last place in the Pacific Division. They are seven games below .500, the furthest they have been from the break-even point all season.

Enter three teams that have never been in our kitchen, and three teams that the War-knocks can, should, and need to beat.

First up, the Utah Spaz, a below-.500 team that rolls into town Monday night a full two games ahead of the War-hens in the playoff race. The teams have split their two previous meetings this year, with both teams stealing a road victory. The Spaz are gritty, selfless, tough, and ruthless--lately the War-droops have been spotty, listless, rough, and toothless. This game is a must if the War-peas want to keep their Mary-Kate Olsen-like playoff hopes alive.