O’Neal Fattens Up Statistics

Shaquille O’Neal, who has been known to warm up when the weather does, has been at it again, averaging 24 points and 17.5 rebounds over the last four games.

“It shows he has that game left in him where he can do those things,” Coach Phil Jackson said. “Everybody’s been saying he’s not the same player he was [in 2000] ... when he was the MVP of the league. But you know, he still does have those nights, and he’s going to have those nights, we think, in the playoffs.”

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Gary Payton and Rick Fox sat out Tuesday’s practice because of minor injuries but are expected to play tonight.... Karl Malone continues to suggest he’ll skip the Olympics. “If I don’t go, it’s because I want to be healthy if I decide to come back next year, and I put it out there right now,” he said. “I want to be 100% healthy if I decide to come back next year, and if I don’t go, that’ll be the reason. Because I will not come into the season banged up and whatever and my injury still healing as I’m playing ... and I hope people respect that.”

Jackson, after Houston’s Steve Francis was only fined for cursing during an ESPN interview: “Francis wasn’t suspended after saying that and Shaq was? That’s incredible. The inconsistencies of the NBA amaze me.... It should be the same punishment that Shaq had.... I’m disappointed. I wouldn’t want anybody to miss a game because of that activity, but if they’re going to mete out punishment in one direction, they’ve got to be consistent.”.... Francis apologized during the telecast. O’Neal swore a second time after being alerted that he was on the air and didn’t apologize until the next day.

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TONIGHT

vs. Sacramento, 7:30

Fox Sports Net, ESPN

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KLAC (570), KWKW (1330).

Record vs. Kings -- 0-2.

Update -- The Kings have struggled lately, losing at New Jersey and Washington last week, coming from 17 points behind to win at Indiana, then losing to Milwaukee Tuesday.